Evening star., 1950-09-10
Truman Acts to Curb Initiation
And Build Up Armed Strength;
To Bo|sterWest ifOthers Do Part
5 to 10 Divisions
May Be Added.
To Europe Army
By Gornett D. Horner

Substantial increases in United
States armed forces in Europe, to
take effect only as other Western
powers do their full part, to step
up joint defense efforts, were ap-
proved by President Truman yes
terday.
American officials hoped the
Presidents action would spur
agreement among the North At
]antic Treaty nations to join in
building up rapidly great inter-
national military force in Europe
to meet the threat of Russian ag-
gression.
Mr.. Truman did not indicate
how great the increased American
contribution may be. Plans are
understood to call for adding from
five to 10 divisions to approxi-
mately 100000 United States SOL
diers now stationed in Europe,
contingent on what other Western
nations do.
The conditional commitment to
send more United States forces
to Europe fits in with a program
Secretary of State Acheson is
prepared to urge in Western
Power conferences in New York
this week for drastic steps to
translate into action plans for
defense against Russia.
Acheson Program Outlined.
This program is understood to
involve:
l. Eventual creation of a uni
fled high command for a joint
European defense force.
2. Incorporation into this force
OF West German divisions to be
equipped by the Atlantic Treaty
partners.
3. Appointment of an outstand-
ing American military leader of
the stature of Gen. Eisenhower
or Gen. Bradley to command the
joint forces.
4. American participation in
some sort Of joint production Or
ganization to accelerate the output
OF modern weapons to equip the
allied army.
u. s. Will Not Bear Full Load.
Emphasizing the necessity of
simultaneous action, Mr.. Truman
made clear in his brief statement
yesterday that the United States
viii not carry the full load of de-
Tending Europe against Russia.
This country's participation will
depend on it's Atlantic partners
doing their full share.
The text of the Presidents
statement follows:
"On the basis of recommended
tions Of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,
concurred in by the Secretaries of
State and Defense, I have today
approved substantial increases in
the strength of United States
forces to be stationed in Western
Europe in the interest of the de-
tense of that area.
THE extent of these increases
and the timing thereof will be
worked out in close coordination
with our North Atlantic Treaty
partners.
"A basic element in the imple-
mentation of this decision is the
degree to which our friends match
our actions in this regard. Firm
programs for the development of
their forces will be expected to
keep full step with the dispatch
OF additional United States forces
to Europe.
Our plans are based on the
sincere expectation that our ef-
forts will be met with similar
action on their part.
THE purpose of this measure is
to increase the effectiveness of
our collective defense efforts and
thereby insure the maintenance
of peace"
Latest Figures Are Year Old.
The latest figures the Defense
Department will make public on
American troop strength in Eu-
rope are more than a year old.
AS OF June 80, 1949, the Pentagon
said, the total was $500. About
10000 OF these are believed to- be
IN Germany, 10000 in Austria
and 5000 in Trieste. Combat
trained troops in Germany are one
division plus a constabulary force
OF unannounced strength.
Mr.. Truman's statement did not
(See MILITARY, Page A-8)
Annual C>L>>I