Evening star., 1950-10-14
u. ). Assures France
OF Military Aid, but
With Reservations
By John N. Hiehtower
Associated Press Stoff Writer

o44SC W 40 1CO OOOoJ Va
substantial American aid in build
Ing up it's military strength, but
may have to settle for much less
than it requested.
Moreover, American officials re-
pc-Iedly want a part of any help
gi~en France to go to native troops
fighting beside the French against
Communist forces in o-China.
French Defense Minister Jules
Moch yesterday laid before top
American officials a plan for trip
ling Frances armed force in Eu-
rope over the next three years,
coupling it with plea for $3.170,-
100000 in military assistance by
the end of 1851.
The reaction of Secretary Of
State Acheson, Secretary of De-
fense Marshall and Secretary of
the Treasury Snyder was reported
to be that the French were asking
too much. This view also was
held by some Congressman.
Interim Assistance Promised.
At the same time officials familiar
with the negotiations said Mr..
Moch and French Finance Minis
ter Maurice Petsche were prom
ised interim assistance, pending
the development of an American
aid plan covering all the At
lantic Treaty nations.
This is substantially the same
position which the American
Government took in dealing with
British requests for arms aid.
Congress has appropriated $4.5
billion for all European rearma-
ment assistance during the fiscal
year ending next June 80. Help
beyond that figure would require
Congress approval.
The French now have seven
divisions in Western Europe
France and Germany. Mr..
Moch outlined a program for add
ing three more in 1851, five in
1852 and five in 1854 total
force of 20 divisions by the end of
1858. According to diplomatic in
formants, Mr.. Moch said that
France might even be able to
bring its total strength to % divi-
sions in the next three years.
Planes May Be Rushed.
Mr.. Moch also appealed for
quicker American military ship
ments to French troops fighting
in Indo- China.
Secretary Marshall reportedly |
promised to push the delivery to |
the maximum rate and also said
he would try to provide medium |
attack bombers to help support |
the anti Communist ground
forces.
Mr.. Acheson was said to have
insisted that the French earmark
parts of their scheduled arms
shipments to loyal Indo-C Chinese
units. According to delivery lists
furnished the Defense Depart
ment, all supplies from France
have been marked for regular
French troops. The French agreed
to a study of these lists at Mon
days meeting.
In presenting Frances request
for assistance. partly in arms and
partly in cash, Mr.. Moch said his
government would like to get
start on United States financial
help by November / in order to
speed up production in French
munitions plants.
French Proposals Outlined.
The French program proposed
that the United States furnish:
l. Finished military equipment
such as guns. tanks and planes
worth So billion.
2. Military supplies for the
French forces in Indo-China to-
falling $500 million.
3. Direct financial assistance to
the French treasury of $770 mil
lion to offset the effect of the
stepped-up rearmament program
on the French economy.
France is expected to get more
out of the American military aid
program than any other country,
because Of its strategic Importance
in the defense of Western Europe.
The French program contem-
plates construction of three light
aircraft carriers, one escort car
rier and carrier fighter planes.
Naval Construction Opposed.
American officials opposed this
naval construction, contending
that naval armament could better
be left to Britain or the United