Evening star., 1948-09-05

In this country 1t would be difficult, ',
for the administration to admit the
blunders of its own party.
The Berlin situation is expected to
be Strengthened out by concessions
to the Kremlin. But the vital ques-
ton of filling the vacuum in Ger
many is far more difficult. And our
military and political men fear that
unless this major problem can be
solved the dangers of an armed clash
will remain with us indefinitely.
Near Wartime Strength
The Soviet government has man
aged to keep the initiative IN both
military and diplomatic fields. Soon
after We day we and the rest OF
the Western nations demoblllzed our
armed forces so rapidly and dras-
tically that they were pulverlzed.
The Soviet Union demoblllzed
some of the older classes, but called
Younger men to the colors. Inc
actual strength of the Soviet Army
today is not far below what 1t was
during the war.
While it is difficult to obtain defl-
mite and fully reliable information
about the actual military strength
of the U. S. S. R., available reports
sav Russia has 178 fully-equlpped
and trained divisions, 14,50o hrst-
line planes-which are far more
efficient than they were during
World War II-and about 300 SUBJ
marines, of which 80 to loo are
ocean-eoing types capable OF 10 10
20 knots submerged and 25 knots on
the surface.
We know-unfortunately only TOO
vell-what our depleted grouno
forces can put in the field al a
moments notice. The Air Force Is
stronger, but it is still far from
what it should be in case OF an
armed clash with the U. S, 5. II. ana
her satellites.
Aggressive Diplomacy
Our Navy, while still the most
powerful In the world, is somewhat
concerned over the new threat 10
our lines of communication Which
is raised by the Soviet's unexpected
feat of building a powerful SUD-
marine force.
Backed by this remarkable MILL
tarv force, stronger in proportion
tn what the Nazis and FaScists had
in 1899, Soviet diplomacy also has
maintained it's initiative in the
diplomatic field. Diplomacy these
davs, even more than in the past,
must be backed by divisions, air
groups and naval forces.
We and the rest of the Western
world are always willing to thrash
out difficulties oy give and take. We
consider that human lives and
human well-being are important.
So long as the polls remain de-
termining factor in the political
life of a country, 1t is inconceiVable
that any government will be able to
perpetuate itself through war. Not
so in a totalitarian state, where a
dictator and his gang can ignore the
wishes and needs of hundreds of
millions whom they desire to sac
rifice for their own selfish and per-
sonaI ambitions.
Aware of Our Limitations
Hence, diplomatic conversations
between countries whose govern
ments are the result of free elections
and those which maintain them
selves in Office through a powerful
state police must always be backed
by military strength. =
The lack of military preparedness
of the Western nations is the core
of the present trouble Russia will
ride high, wide and handsome so
long as it feels that it can overrun
the weak western military forces in
Germany and the rest of non-So-
Wet Europe
Our hot and cold diplomacy of
recent months was due principally
to the fact that Secretary of State
Marshall is far more keenly aware
than any other civilian that I'VE
don't have the bayonets." He
realizes that right now we are lead
ing from weakness, while the So
Wet leads from strength.
The aim of the Soviet government
in Europe today is to get under its
control the economically and stra-
tegically vital Germany. The
former Reich still has great eco
nomic potential, in spite of war
devastations and other losses. 1t
must be remembered that before
1888, when Hitler took over Ger
many, the steel production Of the
Ruhr amounted to 22,0O0,000 tons a
year-the greatest in Europe.
Plans for Germany
Russia aims to integrate the
Reich into the Soviet Union as an
honored satellite with govern
ment of its own which need not be
100 per cent Communist, but must
be imbued with the idea of restor.
ing Germany to its old greatness ir
full cooperation with the Soviets
The Kremlin Is fully aware thai
so long as the American influence
is maintained in Europe-even aftel
few slaps in the face which ma.
weaken but will not obliterate oul
prestige entHely-her plans fo
domination of Germany. will b
frustrated.
This is the foundation stone o
the Kremlin's present policies il
Europe, although they are beinI
ohscured by maneuvers in man.
other countries. 1t has becom
automatic to the Kremlin leader
that unless America is remove,