Evening star., 1950-05-28

accepted in principles
the American and
British navies will be given the
Job of policing the sea lanes, in
the event of another war. and of
striking wherever naval attacks
are feasible.
Each branch of the Western
bloc forces will be commanded by
an othcer selected by the head Of
the strategy board. who will be A
kind OF ceneraliSsimo.
The idea, revolutionary as it
seems, is contained in Article AZ,
Chapter VII. of the United Nations
Charter, which provides for the
establishment of Military STAFF
Committee, The effort of that
organization to put into effect
the decisions of the Security
Council failed because OF Soviet
sabotage,
Now. however, in a different
form than was provided in the
Charter. the Western powers
with their backs to the wall-have
succeeded in organizing the de-
fense forces which, II given time
to organize. may be able to with
stand successfully any Eastern
May Use Germans
In addition to the creation OF
this international force. the way
has been opened for all Western
nations to cooperate in the de-
Tense of their cause. For instance.
it will not be as difficult. as 1t
appeared in the past. to bring
sizable German contingents into
the overall picture.
There has been strong opposi-
ton from the peoples of Western
Europe and from some sections
Of American opinion to the re-
of Germany. So long
as the idea prevailed that Ger
many would be permitted to have
It's own military forces. it was
to mention the subject
rousing people in coun-
tries which the German leaders
forced into World War II.
A new German army was adj
judged to be a threat to Western
since any of its leaders
could use it as an aggressive weap-
on again. But when 1t Is realized
that any military contingents
Germany has may be called for
the global defense of the West,
the situation will be regarded in
a different light.
Military forces in the West are
intended to lose their nationality,
on paper at least. They can be
used wherever the supreme COM
deems 1t useful or neces-
sary and their equipment will
come from general pool, drawing
It's resources from factories in the
United States. Britain or the
newly created French German
steel pool.
Thus it will be impossible for
one country alone to arm above
is minimum requirements. 1t will
De equally impossible for any one
country to build armaments sur
reptitiously. as was the case with
Germany in the early '30s. New
weapons will be blueprinted and
manufactured with the full knowl-
edge Of all the members of the
Western coalition. which will be
headed in effect by the United
States. We share none of the pref
ldices and suspicious which in
,he past have made Europe a
theater of war.
More Time to Prepare
Our responsibility to provide
ground forces will not be greatly
diminished. But we shall not be
compelled to rush our ground
troops to Europe in as large num-
oers, at enormous cost and risk,
rs during the last war.
While the Western European
forces are expected to hold their
own for some time at leaSt-with
the full air and naval coverage
provided by the United States and
will be able to provide
ground forces for other areas that
might be involved in another war.
We expect to receive sos calls
from various countries in the Far
East. In order to strengthen our
defenses in the Pacific, the ad-
will have to reinforce
the ground forces in Japan to the
tune of at least two additional
divisions.
In a recent speech Vice Presi-
dent Alben Barkley stated that
he United States may have to
occupy" some non- american ter
'itories. The idea was expressed
oosely and had a rather unfor-
.unate effect. What the Vice
President meant was that it ia
conceivable that defenseless ter
'itories such as Greenland and
iceland may call on us for sup
bort.
Iceland has only a small police
'orce and cannot defend itself.
I Is a member of the Atlantic
pact. however. and In case of
ianger could appeal to the United
states to provide ground, air and
naval forces to prevent an in.
'asion of strategic areas.
The internationalization of the
iefense forces Of the West would
AXE out the sting OF imperial
sm" when and If American forces
light IN any Of the territories OF
is Allies.
While il is too early to gauge
Inn -