Evening star., 1950-08-20
Acheson Adviser
Cites Peril Of Reds
To Western Europe
Continued From First Page)

occupied zone (of Germany, or
elsewhere in Europe.
II do not propose that we
should undertake singlehanded to
defend Europe, or that we should
Immediately dispose troops. but
only under a completed plan and
upon a reciprocal basis. as Euro
pean countries increase their
forces"
Mr.. Cooper said that the Euro
pean people have but slight in
terest in the idea that if they
were overrun by the Russians
they should be liberated eventu-
ally by the United States. Their
interest, he added. is in an effec-
tive defense.
These considerations lead me
to believe that there will be no
effective preparation of the de-
fense of Europe until the United
States makes clear that it will
join in the defense of Europe in
the initial stages of assault should
that come"
Risks Discussed.
Mr.. Cooper declared that the
United States would take great
risks in following the course he
advocated but he said "the alter
native is a greater risk-the risk
Of our isolation on this continent
and gradual strangulation."
The danger to Western Europe,
he-declared, derives not only froS
the possibility of Soviety military
conquests but also from the posi-
bility that Europe unsure of an
effective defense would gradually
lose heart and be in effect alb
sorbed by Soviet communism.
For their part, Mr.. Cooper as
serted, the Western Europeans
must commit themselves to the
very limit for their own defense, in
terms of military production and d
armed forces. We recognize their
difficult economic conditions and
know the material and psychologi-
cal wounds that two wars have
brought them-wounds that we
have not experienced-but their
homelands are at stake and they
must make the supreme effort to
defend them"
Mr.. Cooper pointed out that At
lantic treaty nations have recently
declared their intentions of in
creasing their defense efforts and
spelled out the things they hope
to accomplish.
Action Called Inadequate.
They (the European state
ments on this subject) must be
welcomed as encouraging in that
they establish the principle of in
creased effort. Nevertheless, meas
ured by the present requirements
for troops, weapons and equip
ment for defense, I must say fatty
and plainly that their action is |
inadequate and cautious. Emer-
gencies cali for emergency action,
and decisions regarding survivall
cannot be made up on the basis of
whether or not economic and So
cial programs might be disturbed"
Mr.. Cooper cited British esti-
mates to show that Russia has
under arms possibly ITS divisions,
or 2.8 million men, and that 80
divisions might be easily available.
for a European offensive. along
with a proportionate number CT
Russia s 10000 tanks and 10000.
planes.
Against this force, the Western
countries have a combination of
American. British, French, Dutch
and Belgian troops amounting to
little more than IL divisions,
Serving without unified COM
mand."
THE danger implicit is this dis
parity in arms strength is ap-
palling. Under present conditions,
the Soviet forces could overrun
Europe at any time. If the pres
ent disparity is allowed to con-
tinue. the futility of opposing So
Wet aims in Western Europe will
become more and more apparent |
to Europeans. The hopelessness
Of their position in the face of
Soviet aggression will inevitably
sap their determination to resist
and Europe could in time fall by
default"
In the United States, Mr.. Coo
per said. 1--WE stand in utmost |
peril. Interparty recrimination
will not meet this danger. It
must be met by action"
He urged Congress to approve
quickly a pending bill TO increase
foreign military aid, appropria-
tions by 81 billion.
Mr., Cooper has been associated
with State Department policy
making in an advisory capacity
and on part-time basis for the
past year. In 1949 he was a
delegate to the United Nations
General Assembly meeting In
May. 1850, he accompanied Sec
retary Acheson to London for the
meeting of the Atlantic Council.
More recently he went with Mr..
Acheson's deputy, Charles M.
Spofford, to another London ses-
sion of the Council.