Evening star., 1949-03-27
Lash
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A-bomb parcel post. But the Air
Force has the bombers now, even
If in limited numbers, and can
send the big bomb airmail spe-
cial. and be pretty certain of
delivery.
Russia also may have the atomic
bomb, although some scientists
doubt that she has had time to
perfect it, or at best make many
of them. 7.- 2;
1t is extremely unlikely that the
United States plans to include the
atomic bomb in the shipments of
materials for the Atlantic pact
members. The fact that we have
the bomb. presumably a stockpile
of them. and can throw strikes
with it in an emergency. unques-
tionably had bearing on the deci-
sion of nations to join the pact.
Congressional Hurdle
While Congress Is expected to
approve the Atlantic alliance, the
armament phase Of the program
will be challenged. One highly
placed Republican who requested
anonymity said recently that 1t
might be difficult to obtain a two
thirds majority for the treaty un-
less the administration leadership
could demonstrate clearly that the
pact and the arms program were
separate issues. not only legis-
latively but in fact. A number of
Senator'S also have raised reserva-
tionS relating to the size and scope
Of the arms program. And others
fear the armament plan may pro-
woke Russia into more than a cold
war.
When the Rio pact went to Con-
gress, there was some adverse crit
icism OF the military cooperation
clause. The opposition was based
not so much on the objectives of
the treaty as it was on fear of the
consequences. Some legislators
voiced concern that the United
States, in undertaking to arm the
Americas, might promote arma-
ment races between the individual
countries, and also encourage arms
competition between America and
Europe.
These arguments likely will be
heard again when the Atlantic
pact and the arms program that
goes with it are debated at the
Capitol Another point likely to be
raised Is the fear that American
weapons sent abroad to friendly
nations might eventually fall into
the hands of Russia.
That is precisely what has hap
pened in China, but the equipment
seized there by the Communists is
now obsolete, even though 1t was
fairly good stuff when turned over
to the Chinese.
Between VI day and February.
1948, the United States furnished
the National government Of China
with $728,000.000 worth of mill
tary aid. We sold the Chinese
$656,658 worth of ammunition that
originally cost us $6.566.589. We
sold the Chinese Air Force $6,000,-
600 worth of equipment at 1912
per cent of the factory cost. We
sold the Chinese government $50
C-46 transport planes for $750,000.
They cost SAL 100000 to build. |
Those are State Department
figures.
So, it would appear. that bill
lion and a half is rather small
amount to put steel into the North
Atlantic pact If the State De-
partment thinks that will be
enough for the first year of the
program, then perhaps they in
tend to ask for quality in prefer
ence to quantity. A billion and a
half is certainly trickle compared
with the vast sums the United
States shelled out for defense just
prior to World War II. In June,
1912, it took the Senate exactly
81 minutes to pass $42 ,820 ,000,- |
900 Army supply bill.
And a billion and half seems |
infinitesimal if it will help prevent
another war. U. N. Delegate Aus
tin says: The objective of the
pact is peace. Its intention is to
provide greater security for mil
lions of persons who live today in
anxious fear of another war. It is
armor, but not a lance. 1t is a
shield, but not a sword"
Shovldn't t it be the finest armor;
the st pngest shield9