Evening star., 1949-12-16
Arms Pact Program
Snagged on British
Objections 10 Cost
BY the Assoeiotsd Press

BY the Associotsd Press
LONDON, Dec. is. Official
British sources say negotiations
for a ritish-American arns-aid
pact have snagged on Britain's OBJ
jections that she may have to put
up much more than she will get.
These sources said last night
that Britain's share of the bill
lion-dollar Atlantic pact arms pro-
gram may not be more than $20,-
100000. France, they pointed
out, will get the largest arms aid,
Britain "by far the smallest"
Britain Fears Upkeep Costs.
But the agreements as drawn
now, these sources said, would
make Britain responsible for
American forces which might be
stationed in the United Kingdom,
somewhat on the basis of mutual
lend-lease."'
The British say they don't op-
pose such proposal in principle.
But they fear it may require them
to spend a lot, not only for up
keep of troops. but also to main
tain their stores and equipment.
Britain also is reported object
ing to clauses in the draft agree
ment limiting the transfer of
American-supplied equipment out
side the North Atlantic area.
United States Approval Required.
The British don't like these be-
cause they would prevent them
from sending equipment to such
an empire outpost as Malaga or
Hong Kong. for example, without
Washington's approval.
Negotiations for the bilateral
arms-aid pact are going on In
Washington.
Headquarters Set to Operate.
The operating headquarters
here for arms aid is now ready to
do its job
Experts from three divisions Of
the American Government have
set up here closely geared sys-
tenn for the smooth flow OF de-
tense weapons to the North At
lantic nations. Informed sources
said the start of actual operations
depends on:
l. President Truman's approval
of the defense plan drafted at the
Paris meeting of North Atlantic
military chiefs and his release OF
5000 ,00O,0 900 in arms aid funds.
2. The signing Of pacts between
Washington and the individual
nations which are to get arms aid
from the United States.
Official sources said some
"minor miracles" were accom-
plished In establishing London as
a new capital for both arms aid
and defensive planning by North
Atlantic treaty powers.
Douglas Top Man.
The new arms assistance head
quarters staff includes officials OF
the State Department, Depart
ment of Defense and the Economic
Cooperation Administration. They
are crowded into Offices in or near
the United States Embassy. which
already is overcrowded.
Top man in Europe for Ameri-
can military aid is Lewis Douglas,
Ambassador to Britain. He is
chairman of the European Co-ordi-
mating Committee on which Gen.
Thomas Handy represents the De-
partment of Defense and w. Av-
erell Hartman the ECA.
Spark-p1ugging the program
under Mr.. Douglas is a scholarly
Lieutenant Colonel of Army Engt-
neers, c. II. Bonesteel. -
An expert on postwar Europe,
Col. Bonesteel was snatched from
Mr.. Harriman's ECA headquarters
In Paris to become executive di-
rector Of the military defense as
sistance program.
The s tate Department. under
terms o the arms aid grant, re-
tains top control of operations.
State Department representatives
have been assigned to each Of the
participating capitals to direct
the supplying of assistance.
Headed Up by State Department.
officials here explained the
State Department is at the top Of
the billion-dollar program because
of broad policies involved under
the North Atlantic treaty.
One of these policies is that
spending for arms shall not in
terfere in any way with economic
recovery Of the North Atlantic ma
tions.
Technical military problems un-
der the arms program are to
be handled by a new Joint Mill
tary Advisory Group, with head
quarters in London. Its director
is Maj. Gen. A. Franklin Kibler,
former chief American observer
with the Brussels treaty (Western
UnionD defense force.
Duties of this group. which
will have representatives in each
North Atlantic. capital, include
Cd To assist military leaders