Evening star., 1949-10-23

going economically and politically
bankrupt.
Being far away from us and
being uncontaminated by centu-
ries-old jealousies and rivalries
which have made this continent a
battle-ground for so many hundreds
of years. you should have a more
realistic approach to what could
save this old civilization. We
know the recipe ourselves, Of
course, but cannot reach agree
ment because the question Of
prestige comes ever into play But
having reached a real low since
the war, many of us would well
come a 'disinterested and factuar
leadership such as you could pro-
vide. Without this there is little
hope for lasting recovery in Eu-
rope"
Prestige Is an Obstacle
The United States now is en-
gagged in spending some $20,000,-
100000 over the next four or five
years to restore Europe's equi-
librium From personal observa-
tions, as we'll as from convictions
with men who have a genuine un-
derstanding of existing problems.
it seems that most of this Amer
lean substance will go down the
rathole unless some elementary
but drastic changes are made in
the economic and military organ
izations in Europe.
For instance, the unbelievable
rt-sighted system of taxation
in Britain is bound, if it continues,
to stymie the country's economic
recovery. On the other hand. the
equally unbelievable laxity of the
French tax system is bound to
keep it's treasury empty. The pres
ent trend to prosperity is ephem-
eral and likely to collapse under
the impact of a major financial
crisis.
Need Fiscal Policy
Only Britain and France are
referred to in this connection
because they are the pillars Of
Europe. The lesser republic and
kingdoms of Europe are entirely
dependent on trends in the
United Kingdom and France.
The protagonists of the Mar
shall Plan are right when they
say that the timely intervention
of American economic assistance
kept Europe from complete
breakdown. But henceforth, un-
less Europe adopts a fiscal policy
based on realities rather than
the expediencies of party politics,
the "shot in the arm" will wear
off. Then we shall be placed in
the dilemma either of continuing
to prime the pump with billions
of the American taxpayers money
each year. or of cutting loose.
In the latter event we would SIM
ply revert to the situation of the
two years after World War II.
A similar situation exists at
present insofar as military aid is
concerned. Chairman Tydings Of
the Senate Armed Services Com
mittee has made a one-man sur
vey of the general situation in
Europe. He spent five weeks
travelling in the Atlantic pact
countries and was able to obtain
a clear view of things.
In statement to the press on
October 10 in London he declared
that he was disappointed to find
that Europe was not quite pre-
pared militarily to meet an attack
which, he hoped, never would ma
terialize. Had he expressed his
views with his usual candor he
would have said that Europe is
no more prepared to repel any
aggression than the Senator him.
self is prepared to swim the
Channel.
Royal Navy Old.Fashioned
The truth is that there is next
to nothing available for Europe's
defense today. The British have
two divisions and hope eventually
to increase that number by an
other two. But paper divisions
have never won any war. The
Royal Air Force is in much bet
ter shape, but 80 per cent of it's
fighter planes (the British rely on
us for heavy bombardment) are
earmarked for defense. of the
United Kingdom itself. The Royal
Navy is old-fashioned. BY this
is not meant that it's units are
over-age or in bad shape. It is
just that the Royal Navy has
neglected its air power, which was
placed entirely in the hands Of
the Royal Air Force. The British
Navy boasts today of only one air.
craft carrier.
The French have the old five
divisions which they organized
with our help at the end of the
war. OF these two are armored,
with tanks now described as an
tiquated, and three are ordinary
infantry divisions. The remaining
French combat strength is in
North Africa, where the general
staff says it must stay even in
the event Of Soviet onslaught,
and in Indo-C China. where the
battle against the Communist-led
native guerrillas continues after
five years.
Armies Scattered
The Dutch have nothing worth
mentioning for the defense of
Europe. Some 100000 of their
best troops are in Indonesia. Their
present capabilities in Europe are
limited to less than one division,
not well equipped. The Belgians
are somewhat better organized,
but their military effort in the
event of a conflict must be dis
counted. The Italians still have
more of a police force than an