Evening star., 1949-03-27

wishes. just like the Kellogg-B
many other treaties and agreemer
This is the considered opinion
not only of the trainers of the
alliance in the White House and
the State Department, but also OF
some military men, who are skep-
tical of the willingness of the
peoples of Western Europe to use
the equipment we send them.
Taxpayers Angle
Most members of Congress have
open minds on this subject. Some
hold the definite opinion that
neither the Italians nor the French
would make a better showing
against the Russians than they
made in World War 1.-THE
French against the Germans and
the Italians against the Ameri-
cans, British and French.
Others consider it likely that
under the weight of an invasion
by Asiatics, the men of Western
Europe will fight better-and with
more decentralization in the
last war. Finally. there is a group
in both houses of Congress which
hopes that the Atlantic pact-in
which America pledges itself in
advance to fight a future aggres-
sor-together with adequate mill
tary preparations, will act as
deterrent on the men in Moscow
All members of the Senate and
House. however, are concerned
over how much of the taxpayers
money will be required for pre-
measures which, in the
last analysis, may lead to an
armed clash with the U. S. S. R.
They all have vague idea about
the gigantic sums which must be
in the event OF a Third
World War.
For the time being there are no
definite plans for the outlay of
money in rearmament of Western
Europe. Whatever estimates exist
for the size of the Western Euro
pean defense force. and for the
time to be spent in creating a
combat force, remain a military
secret. But from available figures
It is estimated that the cost of
equipment alone for each armored
division created in Western
Europe will be about $3.50, 900 900.
IS According to unofficial reports,
the high command of the Western
European Union at Brussels con-
siders that it needs at least go
divisions in order to make a good
showing against the vastly su-
perior numbers of troops held in
readiness by the U. s. S. R. and
its satellites.
Supply Uniforms, Too?
OF these so divisions a mini
mum of IS must either be armored
or motorized forces. That is to
say, the American taxpayer will
be called on to provide some So
100000, 900 for the equipment of
these IS divisions alone. OF
course, this does not take into
account the gasoline needed for
the training of personnel to man
the tanks. The upkeep of officers
and enlisted men, together with
the ammunition required for
training, would be paid, it is hoped,
by the respective European gov
ernments.
The other IS divisions Of the
Western European ground forces
would be provided, partially at
least, with artillery and machine
guns, as well as communications
material, radar and other instru-
ments which are produced in very
limited quantities on the other side
Of the Atlantic.
The organization of the desired
force will require, under the best
possible conditions. between three
and five years. and rough guess
is that we will have to put up for
this rearmament program OF our
new Allies somewhere between
$12, 900 900 900 and SIS, 900 900. .000
Added to an estimated 15,O00,-
100000 for the balance of the
European Recovery Program, this
sum brings to nearly $30,OO0,-
600, 900 the expenditure to be re-
quired of American taxpayers for
Western Europe's recovery and Sc
curity during the next four years
The first question which arises
in the mind of every member Of
Congress is whether the taxpayer
will be able to stand the burden
which the administration may feel
compelled to impose-Without our