Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-06-01


armies moved across the border.
Until 1904, when the japanese
broke this tradition" by attacking
the Russian feet unexpectedly, wars
like duels-were affairs Of gentle
men. The adversaries bowed tt
each other tremendously before
fighting.
Even the last war was preceded BY
storm signals which showed clearly
that Germany would invade Poland
between the end of August and the
first of September. The fact that
the movements of all foreign mill
tary, naval and air attaches were
drastically curtailed by Hitler or
August 26, 1899, and that all air.
dromes were closed to all planes
except those of German nationality
were clear indications of what was
being prepared.
The intelligence services Of all
foreign governments correctly eval-
uated these developments, just as
our own intelligence-incomplete as
it was in those days-saw clearly
after the latter part of November
1941, Just what the Japanese
would do.
Surprise Attacks Possible.
The next war-if such catas-
trophe should occur-win be so un-
expected that it will surprise the at
tackled countries, unless they have
eyes in every part of the world.
New scientific developments will
not make it necessary for an ag-
gressor to mass his forces at given
point. There will be no concentra-
lions of troops or fleets. Buttons
will be pushed somewhere, thou
sands of miles away from the target
and buzz bombs, jet planes and
ground-controlled planes will start
on their destructive missions. The
element of surprise will play far
more decisive role than ever before
Modern intelligence is no longer
espionage in the old meaning OF the
word. No Mata Harris or spies In
false whiskers posing as tramps or
salesmea are needed. There is nc
longer any question of learning how
many men can be mustered into the
armed forces or how many guns and
planes are available at a given mo-
ment. The war potential of a
country is the sum total of all Its
resources and of all others in its
sphere of influence. Although the
last war was fought for high ideo-
logical purposes there are more
spheres of influence today than
ever before.
The number of factories, their
production, the quantity of raw ma
terials available, psychological and
theological trends, the strength OF
the social structure-these are more
important to intelligence today than
actual military, naval and air
strength.
Special knowledge Required.
Because of the complexity OF
problems presented to the intelli-
gence services, their work has be-
come far more difficult than for
merly and requires, in addition to
the professional military men, a
large number of scientists, econo-
mists, statisticians, agricultural
experts, engineers of all kinds, and
trained political observers.
Modern intelligence requires lin
gusts who can be sent abroad to
discuss al kinds of topics with the
native populations and draw con-
illusions on, the state of mind of the
individual regarding his government
and his country's aims and ambi-
tons. Diplomats and attaches
seldom can perform such work.
1t Is well known that the prin-
cipal task assigned to the intelli-
gence agents of the U. S. S.. r. and
her satellites is almost exclusively to
study economic and social condi-
tons in the United States, with the
accent on the depression for which
Russia is hoping.
These agents of Moscow are
studying the markets, the stock ex-
change trends and the difficulties
encountered by industry. Any in
dication of drop in consumer pur-
chasing power is Immediately re-
ported to Moscow, Warsaw and Bel
grade.
The general idea is that Ameri-
cas- role in international affairs is
predicated on economic conditions.
If We enter depression cycle, the
Russians believe, the people of this
country will be so concerned with
the increasing number of unem-
ployed and hard times that they
will lose all interest in what is
happening abroad
Depressions and low standards OF
living in Russia do not influence the
policies of the Soviet rulers, because
they have become endemic in the
U. S. S. R, Moreover, the strong state
police system is watchful and sup
presses with well-known ruthless
ness all attempts of the people to
protest against the hardships under
which they must live.
Our Intelligence Is Neglected.
The American intelligence ser
vices are the neglected children OF
the Government. We have num-
Der of intelligence organizations, but
they add up to very little. Besides
the intelligence services of the
Army. Navy and State Department
there is an organization known al
the Central Intelligence Group
which was created by executive
order. So far 1t has received nc
appropriations from Congress anc
leads hand-to-mouth existence