Evening star., 1950-08-20

tions. Regional agreements such
as the North Atlantic treaty are
explicitly permitted by Section So
Of the Charter. The right Of self
defense is recognized in Article 81
of the Charter. Our action has
been made necessary by the fail
ure of Soviet Russia to cooperate
in the maintenance of peace, and
because 1t has itself preached the
peace. Our action is proof that
we observe the spirit as well as
the form Of the Charter.
The bare faced aggression OF
the North Korean forces, un-
doubtedly directed by Moscow
makes it clear that these efforts
are insufficient to meet the danger
For the first time, in Korea, the
Soviet resorted to direct military
action. Obviously, If it will spon-
sor an armed attack in Korea
we must consider the possibility OF
similar action upon a far more
important objective-Western Eu-
rope.
Reasons for Not Moving.
1t is academic to speculate, now
why the Soviet has not employed
its preponderance. of strength to
move in Europe before this time
Perhaps the superiority of the
United States in atomic weapons
was part Of the reason. It may be
that they have feared that their
resources could not support or win
a long war-a fear which is JUS
titled. Perhaps the Soviet knows
that If it cannot trust in time of
peace the people of its own coun-
try and its satellites, it could not
trust them in war.
These speculations do not meet
the issue. Recriminations over
delays and the past do not meet
the danger. It is a time for de-
cision. and for action.
What is necessary to be done
to deter Russian attack, to make
its failure so inevitable that any
plans for it will be discarded,
and at the worst. if it should
come. to defend against it?
We have reached the time when
a decision must be made whether
or not Europe will be defended,
This decision must be made by the
countries of Western Europe and
by the United States.
First, the countries of Western
Europe must commit themselves
to the very limit for their own
defense. in terms of military pro-
duction and of armed forces. We
recognize their difficult ECONOMIC
conditions. and know the material
and psychological wounds that
two wars have brought them
wounds that we have not expert
enced-but their homelands are
at stake and they must make the
supreme effort to defend them.
That effort is not being made at
this time. After the United States
had sent its troops to Korea
under the United Nations flag,
had increased its military budget
by $40 billion dollars, and doubled
it's armed forces, other members
of the North Atlantic treaty or
ganization have made statements
the additional defense
efforts that they will undertake.
Action Called Inadequate.
They must be welcomed as en-
couraging in that they establish
the principle of increased effort.
measured by the
present requirements for troops,
weapons and equipment for de-
fense, I must say fatty and plainly
that their action is inadequate
and cautious. Emergencies call
for emergency action, and de-
cisions regarding survival cannot
be made upon the basis of whether
or not economic and social pro-
grams might be disturbed. AS
was stated in an article in the
London Times during the recent
meeting of the Council of Deputies
in London-you cannot have
"arms without tears"
There is needed in Europe a
great initiative in the spirit of
the Presidents action in Korea
his speeding of our defenses, and
in the spirit of the Schuman plan,
The full program indispensable
for defense must be launched. We
must give unmistakable notice to
the aggressor that Western Eu-
rope, the United Kingdom, and
the countries of the American
continent are determined to de-
fend themselves.
The bold decision of France to
activate Is divisions is a sample
of the spirit that is necessary.
But, with the exception of France,
there is little indication in the
response of the other members
Of determination to create the
forces that are needed.
Aid Urgently Required.
Our increased aid is urgently
required. We authorized in 1949
81 billion. 5000 million dollars for
arms to Europe and in 1850 ar
additional 81 billion, $500 million
dollars. Today a bill is before
the Congress which would in
crease these amounts by 81 billion
dollars. It should be passed by
the Congress quickly. Today
Europe is incapable of meeting
aggression alone. The United
States cannot defend Europe
alone. But for a time it will be
necessary for us to carry a large
part of the burden of supply until
military production in Europe
gets under way. On smaller
scale, our aid now must be COM
pared to lend-lease, by which we
helped sustain Europe in the
early years of the last war But
in this instance, there is an added
factor; we sustain and defend
ourselves; we act to deter war
and not to make war.