Evening star., 1949-04-10

think. merely the act Of a Good
tary machine, the most formidable
the world ever saw. was pulverized
within a few months after VI day
We are now struggling to rebuild
that machine but the cost of
creating again an adequate Air
Force-the strongest deterrent to
war, according to some experts
makes progress very slow.
The other members of the At
lantic alliance are even worse of
1t is common knowledge that II
Russia-which has kept peace
time combat army of at least l57
divisions and a f1rst-line air force
of at least $4,000 planes-were to
strike anytime in the next two
years, she could overrun Western
Europe in less than month.
Unpalatable as the idea may be
of providing Americas new allies
with $4,000. 900, 900 worth of arms,
the pact will become a dead letter
unless we make this costly effort.
II our intelligence services are
correct in their optimistic evalua-
tions that Russia will intensity the
cold war but will not convert 1t
into a shooting war, the American
taxpayer may be burdened with an
expenditure of 10000, ,000,0 900 dur
ing the next four years, which is
considered the minimum time for
the organization Of Europe's de-
fenSes.
Possibility of Sending Troops
The cost of the Marshall Plan,
according to the calculations of
the experts, will be reduced as
time goes on aud Europe becomes
more self-supporting. The cost of
ornaments will increase, accord
ing to the same calculations, as
the defensive organization pro-
crosses, however, because of the
fears which exist, particularly in
France.
Senator George of Georgia has
expressed the fear that rearma-
ment of Europe may compel us to
send troops to Western Europe.
This is exaggerated, since we al
ready have upwards of 100000
men in Germany. Austria and
Trieste. These are pawns which
our Government has agreed to
maintain in Europe until peace
treaties are stglaed with Germany
and Austria andthe fate otsTrieste
is definitely abhshed.
Beoeuse of bur fears after World
War INthat@we might Be drawn
into one of Europe's perennial
quarrels. We withdrew the troops
we had on the Rhine within less
than a year after the armistice
was signed. This time our troops
are staying in the former enemy
countries and will be in the first
line of defense If the Kremlin de-
cides to rush across Germany and
France to the Channel.
The possibility of sending addi-
tional forces is in the cards.
European morale and self conf
dence is still shattered, despite the
improvements wrought by the
European Recovery Program and
the Atlantic alliance. Apparently
European nations want to visualize
Americas participation in their
defense. While Britain has on
her soil the personnel of the heavy
bombardment squadrons sent
there since last July. the French,
Italians and Benelux countries see
no American uniforms.
Last Effort at Peace
No decision has been taken, of
course, to send across the Atlantic
any part of the small standing
Army we have in this country.
But after the decision is taken to
send war material to Europe from
Army surpluses and stockpiles, it
is possible that several Thousand
American Observation-Disclosures and
enlisted men-will be dispatched
to teach the Europeans to handle
American equipment. 1t is un-
likely that more than 10000 to
$4,000 men can be spared for such
an operation.
The alliance between the United
States. Canada and the Western
European nations now is an &c
complished fact. The implementa-
ton of that alliance is certain 10
come, despite the protests of a
number of CongreSSmen.
The Atlantic treaty is the last
effort to ward off another war,
although it contains all the in
gradients for a Kremlin decision
to start its drive to subjugate the
remaining free European coun-
tries. :
The alliance is Q calculated
risk, but without it-and this Is
the firm conviction of all oul
policy -makerSthe existence not
only of the free Western European
states hut also of the United
States would have been leopard
lied.
It's purpose definitely is the
preservation Of peace: its effect
conceivably may be war.