Evening star., 1949-01-30
European Unity Vital
Or Arms Aid Would Be
Wasted, Lodge Says
by Gould Lincoln

oeldJOI LOuke, NSpuUllCdu, VI
Massachusetts,, speaking in support
of the integration Of the countries
of Western Europe, told the Mary
land Bar Association in Baltimore
Last night, that there must be SUM-
Gent unity in Europe to give con-
Mdence and fighting spirit to the
Mdividual European soldier, or else
Any help given by the United States
pward setting up a Western
European armed force would be in
vain.
The Senator's comments were
made in the light of expected rec
lamentations from the admins
tEation that this country aid in
creation of a unified Western
European defense. He is member
q the Senate Foreign Relations
committee, which must pass on
agreements and treaties with these
Hations.
{ "1ts is an accepted bipartisan
American policy to favor the inte-
grafton of Western Europe" Sena-
tor Lodge interpreted this to mean
that America encourages the
elimination of tariff barriers in
Europe, favors the setting up a
unified European armed force, and
dreams Of United States of
Europe.
Sees Third Force" of Nations.
why do we support this move
fnent toward integration?" he asked
sI believe it is because we think
It is best for the nations of Europe,
best for us, and in the long run
best for the world.
If there arises a so-called third
force of approximately equal popu-
lation and strength with the two
great world powers Of today-the
United States and Soviet Russia
such a third force would contribute
greatly to world stability. This
would be a good thing for every
body. Moreover, the altsrnative-of
having a balkaniZed Europe-is
certain poverty and misery for the
Europeans and the likelihood of
war AS separate little countries,
they are at the mercy Of the in
veder: united they would be pros
porous and powerful organization of
human beings.
The whole policy of our country
Is directed toward avoiding war. We
must continue our efforts for peace
and never give up hope. But if war
shohuld come it is only natural and
proper for us to hope that We will
have scme friends, some allies who
will be fighting on Our side, We
know that we shall make our fullest
effort; the enactment of our peace
time draft Is proof of our willing
ness to do 50. But we have not the
manpower to carry the whole bur-
den Of future war alone.
Lists Conditions.
S"I can therefore conceive that
We In Congress may be asked to
help In setting up aWestern Euro
pean armed force and I can see
that 1t might be strongly in the
interests Of the United States and
II world stability generally for us
Under the proper conditions to give
help to such force"
First, however, Senator Lodge cau-
toned, 1t is necessary to have salts
factory answers to number OF
questions. 1t must be known
whether the proposed pact is mod
eled on the old fashioned European
alliance, which he called . device
togpread war. The proposed pact
must also be vouched for by one
or more Of the American military
leaders who actually commanded
foreign troops in combat in the
last war and know from experience
the realities of coalition warfare,
he said.
The probable reaction to such
pact in nonparticipating countries
must be given consideration. and
America must be ready to meet such
reaction, Senator Lodge continued,
There must be provision for a su-
preme commander-"not chairman
of a board-but a real general SO
there will be an unquestioned single
authority" The nations of western
Europe must be in position to sup
ply their own maintenance and
parts for the equipment we might
send them. The governments set
ting up the armed force must be
free of Communists and this coun-
try must know how much it can
afford to send abroad in relation to
its own military establishment and
Its own solvency, he said.
IF a favorable answer can be had
to all these questions" Senator
Lodge declared. then we can have
faith that the young soldier in Eu-
rope sees some hope and therefore
would be willing to fight. The factor
which is at the bottom Of every
good military organization is the
will TO fight of the individual SOL
der In Europe this will to fight de-
pends fundamentally on the extent
g..