Evening star., 1950-02-26

other; Russia, the ruthless, which
will stop at nothing to gain its
ends, and America. fearful of en-
gaging its strength except under
direct provocation.
Europeans say there is nothing
for them to do in the presence of
this rivalry but to stand aside in
an uncomfortable and painful
neutrality and await develop
mentS.
Until recently there was a wide
spread belief, not only in West
ern Europe, but also among Rus
sia's satellites, that America had
something more than financial
and chronological strength. Euro
peans believed that behind the
screen of dignified patience. which
was due to the realization OF what
another war would mean, America
concealed = real punch.
The disparity between our regu-
lar forces and those Of the U. s.
s. r. were well known. The de-
tails had been published in this
country and abroad. But in
Europe that disparity was con-
sidered as . temporary matter.
Unprepared Before
America had been militarily
unprepared In both world wars.
Yet, within the shortest imag-
Unable time we produced the
greatest and most powerful fight
ing forces in the world. Germany
and It's allies went into both World
Wars I and II with most for
midably prepared military ma
chimes. But those machines COL
lapsed wheh America made up its
mind to replace soft words with
hard-hitting physical force.
But that was In the past. Since
the end Of World War II Western
Europe, collapsing under the strain
Of two Of the most exhausting
wars that continent has ever ex-
perienced, has looked to America
for the economic and financial
help necessary to stem the ad-
vance of communism. We re-
sponded Immediately. But soon it
becomes obvious that economic
recovery alone was not possible
unless the West had the means
to fight militant communism with
force.
We suggested-or 1t was sug-
gested to u-that the Atlantic
alliance be created and that
Europe be rearmed through the
military aid program. But neither
Of these plans could be of any
value, Europeans realized. unless
America itself proceeded to re-
build its military forces to the
POINT where 1t could intervene
successfully against . Red on
slaught.
Europeans knew only too well
that the IS divisions and 1000
planes which were to compose
their rejuvenated military forces
would be only a kind Of advance
guard, which would delay-if pos
sible-the advance Of the Russian
forces.
Russians Catch Up
There can be no strength in
such a small force. The French
and British and their associates
remembered only too well that
force nearly four times that size
melted like snow in the spring
before q smaller, but determined
German. military machine.
They also know that the present
Russian military strength and its
long-range potential exceeds by far
what the Germans and their sat
elites used. But they put their
faith in Uncle Sans air feet and
ground forces, expecting them to
come to their assistance couple
Of months not . couple Of years
Moscow starts its drive.
Western Europeans, like our
selves. estimated that Russia was
afraid Of the atomic bomb and
would not dare start anything
until 1855, at the earliest. This
was expected to be a much needed
breathing spell. permitting not
only Western Europeans but also
the United States to get ready for
any emergency.
The news released from the
White House last September that
the Russians had exploded their
first atomic bomb had the effect
Of a cold shower on the peoples
Of Western Europe. The A-bomb
had been our ace-in-the-hole. #
1t was true that the Russians had
succeeded in translating their
atomic formulas into actual weap-
ons. the prospect for Europe was
sad, indeed.
French, Italians, Belgians and.
Dutch began to shake their heads.
They began seeing visions of their
ancient and beautiful cities being
pulverized by superbombs, and
wondered whether they had not
been too rash in committing
themselves to a definite policy Of
containing communism" by force
II necessary.
Used to Invasions
Europeans are accustomed to-
invasions and foreign domination.
They know that these last only a
certain number Of years and
eventually recede. So long as
their national entity can be main
tanned and their beloved cities
and monuments spared for pos
terity. they do not look on foreign
domination with the same horror
that we do.
The feeling, Of depression caused
BY the announcement that the
Russians had manufactured the
atomic bomb wore off, however.