Evening star., 1950-05-29
Germany's Manpower
Needed in Defense of
Europe, George Says
BY The Assoeieted Press

Senator George, Democrat, of
Georgia said today that Western
Germany's manpower will have to-
be used to build any adequate
defense of Western Europe from
possible Communist aggression.
Senator George, a veteran mem
ber Of the Senate Foreign Rela-
tions Committee, made this OBJ
servation in telling reporters he
probably will support a military
assistance program which the ad-
ministration is expected to present
to Congress this week.
On the other hand, Senator
Taft, Republican, of Ohio, criti-
cized the rearming of nations
around Europe. He proposed in
stead that the United States, rely
ing on its own strength alone,
tell the Russians that. if they
start aggression they're in war"
Il would not arm Europe" Sen
ator Taft said in a television in
terview yesterday. Let Europe
work out it's own solution. In my
opinion there is only one thing
that will deter Russia from war
and that is a strong American
Air Force. strong American sup
ply Of atomic bombs
Says Pact Leads to War.
He said the whole effect of the
Atlantic pact program is to make
war more probable, and added:
What I object to is undertak-
ing by contract to arm about 20
nations all around the world, all
around Russia, obviously an ag-
gressive move"
Last year, when the military
assistance program came up in
the Senate, Senator George tried
to cut its authorization from 81
billion to $500 million. Failing in
that he voted against final passage
Of the bill.
Senator George said his attitude
has changed largely because he
believes some positive steps now
are being taken to fuse Western
Germany's Industrial potential
with that Of the Atlantic pact ma
tons.
AchesOn May Be Questioned.
But we cannot rebuild ade-
quate defenses for Western Eu-
rope without utilization of Ger
man manpower, and I believe it
is coming" he said.
The State Department has
avoided any such position in the
face of its demand on Russia last
week that the East German police
force be disbanded because it has
assumed the form of an army.
Secretary of State Acheson may
face some questioning on this
point in scheduled testimony be-
fore joint meeting of the For
eign Relations and Armed Serv-
ices Committees on the military
assistance program Friday.
This will follow his report to
members of Congress at an in
formal session in the Library of
Congress Wednesday on results of
the London meeting of American
British French foreign ministers. 7
Secretary Acheson had an ap-
pointment today to see President
Truman. Besides telling the Presi-
dent of the results of meetings
in London, he presumably wanted
to talk over his report to Congress.
Senate Approval Predicted.
Senator Georges change of at
titude toward the military aid pro-
posal seemed to reflect likely ac-
ceptance by the Senate of any
reasonable foreign arms aid pro-
posed by the administration.
Senator Taft told a reporter he
probably will vote against the
program, which he opposed last
year, but won't lead any fight
against it this year..
Some other Republicans are ex-
pected to oppose the principle of
continued arms aid to other ma
tions, but administration leaders
remained confident they can OBJ
tain Senate approval without
major fight.
John Foster Dulles, former Re-
publican Senator who is serving
as State Department adviser,
has discussed the program with
some of the Republican congress
Sional leaders.
Mr.. Dulles was understood to
have told the Republicans that the
program is likely to involve a to-
tai outlay of about 81 billion of
which $500 million would repre-
sent appropriations to cover con-
tract authorizations voted last ses-
sion. OF the remaining 81 billion
part might be in future contract
authority, it was said. \
Senator George said he hopes
the total can be held around a
billion dollars, including last
years contract authority. He said
the cash, contract authority and
existing arms equipment made
available for Western European
nations in the year ending June
80 was about 81 billion.