Evening star., 1950-06-11

Gen. Omar N. Bradley.
at it to sese how much more 10
gained by collective action.
For example. six years ago this
week we gave up a little bit OF
sovereignty when we crossed the
Normandy beaches. The Ameri-
can 1st Army which led was
under the command of the British
Marshal Montgomery. But our
action was supported by British
ships. and we were joined by
British forces.
The collective action made
victory possible because the whole
was greater than its separate
parts. And that same co-opera-
ton in North Atlantic treaty
work will strengthen all OF our
chances for preventing war.
Whenever you work together, there
has to be little give and take.
We need to pool the strength
OF the combined sovereignties--
the political. economic and mill
tary powers-of the several ma.
tions. In each case. the first re-
quirement is to become economi-
cally. politically and militarily
firm and stable. Next each nation
must subscribe to plans that per-
nit. 1t to contribute the maximum
that its geographical position and
available resources naturally mark
out for 1t. 80
Avoid Duplication
For example. the Netherlands
has a long tradition of having
a large navy. Today, If there
were a war in Western Europe.
the Netherlands could contribute
more to It's own security--and
to the collective defense--with
strong land forces supported by
modern tactical cir. They would
still need some navy for coastal
protection and anti-submarine
work.
Other nations. including our
selves, in the long run, will have
to examine traditional ideas and
establishments in light of the
collective plans.
The great advantage of this
idea in the dynamic year Of 1850
is renewed strength at less ex-
pense, by avoiding duplication.
@. How far will national pride
the Development OF
collective defense?
A. Initially, national pride may
tend to slow down the develop
ment of collective defense. It Is
a long and jealousy guarded
tradition that each nation should
be completely independent of its
never having to rely
upon them. But the two world
wars have proved that no single
nation can defeat a determined
combination Of allied peoples with
well-integrated combat forces.
We have seen, too. that ma
tional pride most quickly sue
cumbs to mutual understanding
cooperation and trust. These
have been so greatly evidenced in
the secent meetings and discus
sions at The Hague that I feel
that the national pride Of every
nation will soon adapt itself to
the best interests of all, when
mutual trust and confidence is
established. Our collective plan
ming is bringing forth this sort OF
trust and confidence.
@. Would the economic or in
dustrial power of each nation be
charged as a result of the collec-
tive defense strategy
A. This is one Of the primary
problems confronting the Defense
and Economic Commit
tee Of the Treaty Defense Organi-
zation. 1t must examine and make
recommendations on contributions
which can reasonably be expected.
don't believe that the economic
or industrial power of any nation
needs to be changed as a regult
Of this strategy. 1t calls for an
increase in overall economic
strength and industrial potential,
rather than q decrease in any
country.
Expansion Not Revision
When we achieve a more COM
plete Standardization Of equip
nent. it will probably be best TO
BUY a certain type Of plane from
one country, or artillery guns
rom another. while cloth for uni
[orms comes from two or three.
and so forth. This should lead to
economy Of resources and economy
n costs, which. again. Is one OF
he advantages Of such a collective
iefense organization.
(The Defense Financial and
Economic Committee mentioned
BY Gen. Bradley Is the MAP group
headed by E. c. A. Ambassador
Hartman. 1t has just been organ
zed and. according TO President
rruman's recent report TO Con-
sress. 1t has the difiicult task Of
"the economic and
resources required 10
make any defense plans workable
Il sets the dollar costs Of the in.
(see DEFENSE PLAN, Page C-2.)