Evening star., 1948-12-12

This latter possibility pleases the
voters.
After a careful examination of the
situation on the basis of evidence
offered not only by top generals ano
admirals, but also by the civilian
secretaries in the Defense Estab-
lishment, the Eightieth Congress de-
cided that we needed a considerable
strengthening of our military estab-
liShment.
This strengthening included ar
increase of the Air Force to II
groups, and provided for IS divisions
for the ground forces, $4,000 planes
for the Air Force and additional air.
craft carriers for the Navy.
Presented as Must Program
The executive and legislative
branches last spring and summer
agreed that this program was 9
minimum compatible with our ma.
tional defense needs. The members
of the Eightieth Congress were
aware that such an expenditure
would not be particularly popular
but since it was presented to then
as a must" they voted the neces.
ssry funds. 1t was understood from
our top-ranking officials-who testi.
fed in secret sessions-that If condi.
tions in Europe and Asia did not i'm.
prove still another increase woulc
be necessary in 1949-50.
Under present conditions not only
will the armed services be denied
the additional money, but it is likely
that the ceiling established by the
Budget Bureau will be pared down
to not more than $12,500, 900 600
This is a respectable sum on paper
but hardly adequate to revitalize oul
pulverized armed forces at a time
when our potential enemy. the
U. S. S r. possesses a vast military
and air force, ready to operate along
interior lines, both in Europe anc
Asia.
The five powers which comprise
the Western European defense bloc
Britain, France, Belgium, the Meth.
erlands and Luxembourg, to which
soon will be added Italy-have beer
urging Washington to send them
military equipment as soon as pos
sible to provide their manpower with
the means to defend themselves
The initial expenditure for their
needs amounts to about 81, 600, 900 900
with another 100000 900 required
for packing and transportation.
The administration is reluctant to
place such a burden directly on the
taxpayer 1t is also reluctant to
order American manufacturers to
devote much time and effort to the
production of new arms for these
European countries.
An Ideal Theory
Reduction Of the national defense
budget and the consequential re-
tardation Of the induction Of
draftees, however, would make avail
able enough war materials to salts
fly, partially at least, the needs of
the European powers.
The administration now is de-
termined to kill two birds with one
stone. While the budget for the
military establishment will be re-
duced, it is said, our national defense
will not actually be impaired, since
we will create a number Of new and
well-armed divisions in Britain,
France, Italy and other Western
European countries which are will
ing to fight in their own defense
In theory this is ideal. In the
event of a Soviet attack our forces
in Europe are not strong enough to
meet the onslaught, and the Western
European armies are too poorly
equipped to offer effective resistance.
Hence, it is only logical that the
men in the countries which may
become the target of Russia's ex-
pansionism should be provided with
the equipment for resistance.
In fact, however, there is growing
doubt among observers who have
studied the situation in Europe as
to whether the men of continental
Europe will be able to offer better
resistance than they did in 1889 and
1910 against the Nazis. These OBJ
servers have come to the conclusion
that resistance will be even weaker
than nine years ago.
Isolationist View Discarded
The Western Europeans are thor
oughly sick of war and in the mood
to accept any kind of fate rather
than fight and see their countries
flowing with blood again. Further
more, the agents and partisans OF
the Soviet Union have done such an
excellent job of subverting the
masses in continental Europe that II
is doubtful that American equip
ment would be of any real use.
Naturally European military lead
ers insist that once they can put
their manpower in shape and give
them self-confidence with up-to-
date American equipment, their
armies will fight for their independ-
ence and freedom. But these officeri
do not take into account the trends
which exist in every European coun-
try.
Former French Foreign Minister
Georges Bidault is credited with
having warned high-ranking
American that the French people
would rather see Russian soldiers
parade in the historic Place de Ia
Concorde and Champs Elysees than
fight another war.
II we are to be gobbled up," he