Evening star., 1950-08-01
81 Billion in Arms Aid
Requested by Truman
As Deterrent 10 War
By Joseph A. Fox


Communist forces of the world.
He declared that the free ma
tions now have no alternative but
to increase rapidly their prepared
ness to defend the principles of
international law and justice for
which the United Nations stand"
He added: This course pro-
vides the best hope of deterring
future calculated outbreaks against
the peace of the world"
The President outlined the
needs in letter to House Speaker
Rayburn after telling Congress
sional leaders yesterday of the
new program which will supple
ment the appropriation of 81 1,222,-
100000 already voted.
Bulk for North Atlantic Area.
Mr.. Truman said that of the
new money it is estimated that
$3,504 100000 will be required to
strengthen the security of the
North Atlantic area.
He added that "the security Of
this area is of paramount impor-
tance to the strength of the en-
tire free world"
The President said that of the
remaining money it is estimated
that 1903 million will go to the
Pacific area in view of the "in-
creased jeopardy" to that region
caused by the Communist aggres-
sion in Korea. The money, he
explained, will increase and ac-
celerate military assistance to the
Republic of the Philippines and
to other nations in Southern and
Eastern Asia" He added that with
the money already made avail
able for that area the common
defensive strength there will be
brought more quickly to the
necessary level.
Speed Stressed.
The President stressed the de-
STABILITY for speed on his request.
declaring that most of the money |
will be used to procure military
equipment which will not come off
the production lines for a year to
two years after procurement con-
tracts have been signed.
In pointing out the need to
expand the fighting potential of |
the anti Communist forces, the
President declared that I'VE must
not lose sight of the fact that
military power rests on economic
strength" and he warned that the
arms program will not be a sub
stitute for economic aid"
With pointed reference to the
economic appropriation now
under consideration in Congress,
the President pointed out that
"a greatly expanded program of
defense production will impose
serious economic burdens and the
cost of maintaining expanded
military forces will add to these
burdens"
ERP Support Urged.
The President said that it fol-
lows then IF the free nations
are to achieve the economic and
military strength which are nee
essary for our common defense,
we must continue to give full /
support to the European Recovery
Program. ,
President Truman said that this
Government has been surveying
the defense requirements of the
free nations in consultation with
associates in the North Atlantic
Treaty and that most of these
nations, like ourselves. are now
making plans to increase their
production of defense equipment
and their armed forces"
Mr.. Truman said that these ma
tions will depend for the great
part on their own resources but
that American aid must be in
creased if the others are to make
their maximum contribution to
the common defense"
1t is not yet possible. he said, to
determine exactly what each
nation can and should provide.
Other Nations to Share.
The President explained that
the productive capacity of the
entire free world should be drawn
on and that while it undoubtedly
will be necessary for most equip
ment to be manufactured in this
country, that it is also necessary
for other nations to share the
burden to the extent they can.
Mr.. Truman said that "a sig
nificant portion of the arms need
ed can be produced abroad" The
President also explained that
equipment procured abroad under
the new program can be used
either within the country which
produces it or transferred to its
associates. He said, too, that the
equipment produced abroad and
that produced at home under the
mutual defense assistance pro-
gram will be made available to
other nations in accordance with
their needs and ability to use it
effectively.
II wish to make it very plain
that this equipment will go for
ward to other countries only to
supplement and not to take the
place of their own strong efforts,
the President emphasized.
Larger Effort Needed.
Mr.. Truman declared that it is
evident that the security of the
free world requires those nations
within its sphere ito put forth a
far larger effort in much short
er period of time than had origi-
nally been contemplated"
In concluding, the President
said that Congressional leaders of
both parties have generously as
Sured me" that the new program
will be speeded. This was a de-
velopment of the Presidents con-