Evening star., 1949-04-14
Bold Congress Talks
OF War With Russia
Seem Incredible
By David Laurence

Dy lava L0LOyEUCe
1t seems incredible. but there It.
Is In plain language in the official
record Of congressional proceed
ings-a statement that the United
States virtually expects to fight
Russia and expects to win in less
than 80 days by using the atomic
bomb.
Up to now, the members Of the
armed services have been hesitant
to mention Russia as the nation
against which Americas arma-
ment plans are designed. Now
there is no hesitation at all in the
debates in Congress.
Never before in American his
tory has there been such bold
speaking, as II Russia were the
natural enemy and as If war were
inevitable.
Thus are thoughts Of war so
CONCEALED in the thinking Of the
world that any suggestions for
peaceful adjustments become mere
irritations to those who have
made UP their minds otherwise.
Enemy Blamed as Usual.
When the casualty lists start
coming in and it is too late to-
figure out ways of prevention, the
world benoans the fact that CIV
ilization has failed to find q way
to keep the peace. AS usual, the
enemy is blamed and the nation
which is the victim of enemy op-
erations or reprisals considers that
no blame can be attached to 1t.
The idea that Russia can be
pulverized in 80 days from the air
with the atomic bomb, as outlined
by Representative Clarence Can
non, Democrat, chairman OF the
House Appropriations Committee.
Is, of course, what Air Force en-
thusiasts have been saying. I'M
effect, they have argued that
funds for the Army and Navy were
secondary. Representative Can
non said that the Army and Navy
were no longer primary and that
Congress should put the money
where 1t counts-in long-range,
land-based bombers."
This Is the kind Of talk that
ruined the British Navy and de-
prived 1t Of an air arm and cost
the lives of many thousands of
Britons in World War II. No
service and no weapons should be
disparaged or the morale OF any
of the three services broken by
such appraisals.
Here Is a Congress member.
moreover. who is not the chair
man Of the House Armed Serv-
ices Committee. yet he discussed
future strategy with all the con-
fidence of a military expert. Even
the Secretary of Defense admits he
isn't too sure about the strategy
for the next war. Presumably the
safety of the United States is to
be vested now in the honest but
uniformed opinions Of mem
bers Of Congress without regard
to the deliberate judgment OF the
Joint Chiefs of Staff Of the United
States. From a national defense
standpoint this Is an absurdity.
But what is even worse is that
Congress is being asked to believe
that war with Russia is i'm
minent and that the Soviets will
fight the United States or provoke
an attack even before they get
the atomic bomb.
Little Chance Of War.
Simple logic would argue that.
until Russia can retaliate with
atomic bombs, there is little, If
any, chance Of war. Russia's be-
havior in Europe in military way
indicates weakness rather than
strength. She is trying hard to
develop the atomic bomb. and
competent opinion assumes she
will have it in a few years. Until
then, war cannot really be expect
ed. The expenditure Of as much
as SIS. 5.000. 100000 a year or more
on armament tends to impair the
national economy in America and
unbalance the budget-a circum-
stance not unwelcome to the Rus
slams, who believe they can en-
visage the collapse of capitalism
some day without firing a shot.
1.-The next war;" says Represen- |
tative Cannon, must be won in
the first three weeks. We must in
that time pulverize every military
center In Russia"
But Representative Cannon for
gets that In the last war air power
did not pulverize Germany or
Japan in go days-mostly be-
cause the enemy had air forces
too. and also dispersed It's pro-
duction facilities. Russia is q vast
country and atomic bombs aren't
manufactured by the thousands
but probably are numbered in the
hundreds. At the end Of the last
war, former Secretary Stimson re-
yealed, America had made exactly
six bombs. and 1t cost at least $2,-
600. 900, 900 to do that Job.
The idea that Russia will start q
fight before she has the means Of
retaliation against American cities
would not seem to be plausible.
No nation courts disaster. Russia
will read the congressional debate
and order all her resources mo-
bilized to get the atomic bomb
yno py,f q ctiirad os n,yickIy aS O0SSf- |
BILE. Their need be no war till then.
Then-when both sides have the
atomic bomb-the threat to pull
verize In 80 days viii not be made |
as loudly. Maybe by that time
atomic control will become . neces- |
sity, If civilization is not to perish.
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