Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1950-11-05

4lC1 NOlSC IidO OCSOlliS Oil III.
There were two main problems
before the assembled generals
admirals, air marshals and de-
Tense ministers: Cd How quickly
can an adequate force, capable OF
resisting an onslaught from the
East, be organized. and CD how
can a German military force be
incorporated in the general de-
tense Setup.
The first question was matter
principally for the United States
We had already pledged ourselves
before the Washington conclaves
to send Europe as quickly as
possible at least five additional
divisions to bolster the weak
forces which guard the East West
borders.
The continental Western ma
lions were to provide an increased
ground force, which was to be
largely equipped and financed by
the American Treasury.
Manpower Stumbling Block
The cost for such an undertak-
ing was revised from previous
figures. When the military as
sistance program was devised less
than two years ago Congress was
told that it would take some SIS
billion to organize an adequate
Western European ground force.
In the light of new develop
ments it was agreed here that not
rs but so divisions would be nee
essary for such a purpose and the
American share would have to be
increased to at least $12 billion.
There was no argument as far as
our Government was concerned
about this additional expenditure
The American taxpayer has been
1ndoctrinated with the idea that
the conservation of our freedom
depends largely on keeping the
non-Communist countries alive
and in good health.
But the discussions hit a snag
when they came to the question
OF who was to provide that force
and to what extent each member
Of the coalition would contribute
It's manpower. In spite of the
French assurances that an extern
sion of military service in France
from IL to 18 months and an
eventual increase in the draft
would bring French ground forces
to strength of Is or Is divisions,
there still was a question where
we would get the balance of the
SO full divisions.
Britain's assignment in the de-
tense setup is principally air and
naval. although her government
has promised to raise it's army
establishment by at least three
new divisions. The rest of the
members of the Atlantic pact
could not possibly raise enough
men to make up the balance, even
after we dispatched more Amer
lean troops across the Atlantic.
In any event, in spite of prom
1ses by French Defense Minister
Jules Moch that his country would
be willing to make real effort to
increase it's ground forces, there
was a strong suspicion in the
minds of many of the military
representatives that the promises
OF the French government were
not worth much.
French governments are shaky
because of the large number of
political parties in the National
Assembly. There are 172 Com
munist members. Whenever, for
some selfish reason, one or several
of the splinter political groups
make up their minds to overthrow
the government, they join the
Communists in a non-confidence
vote and the government is over
thrown.
The French people have shown
little enthusiasm for rearmament.
The French electorate also is far
more allergic to paying taxes than
Is its American counterpart. If
a call to arms has to be backed
by increased taxes-as is inevi-
table-the French are sure to
throw their administrators out of
Office.
French Poorly Armed
There have been cases in which
a mere demonstration by discon-
tented elements on the Place de
la Concorde-just opposite the
Assembly-has caused members of
the government to jump out of
the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. level
to escape public indignation.
Under the uncertain political
circumstances it is not easy to
rely on what any French govern
ment could promise, unless ma
tional sentiment was strongly be-
hind it. And nobody, not even
members of the present Paris cab
met, can assure us that the tenn
per of the people is favorable to
genuine rearmament.
The people of France were even
lukewarnl about the defense of
1ndo-China, which to all intents
and purposes is still a French COL
ony, capable of yielding profit.
They have shown no enthusiasm
about preparing to meet the
Eastern threat, although this has
been present for at least two years
In spite of the billions poured
into France since 1947; in spite OF
the spectacular economic recovery
brought about by the Marshall
Plan, and in spite of the fact that
some $500 million worth of mill.
tary equipment has been received
by France under the military aie
program, the French republic
armed forces, are far inferior tt
those of Switzerland. which re.
ceives nothing.
The French republic. with 8
population of some AZ million per-