Evening star., 1950-12-23
The Political Mill
---------
Hoover Arms Proposal
Hits Responsive Chord
Many in Congress Believe
Plan Too Drastic, However
The Political Mill
By Gould Lincoln

FOfmer EreSlQenC HERBERT dOOVer'S
proposal to narrow Americas defense
lines to the Atlantic and the Pacific
Oceans struck a responsive chord in
many American hearts-not because Of
a wish to abandon Europe and Asia to
Communist Russia and Communist
China. but because there has been
widespread feeling that the United
States has been er-extending itself, its
manpower and it's resources and that
something must be done about it. II
we are to fight Communism, we should
pick the battle-ground and not permit
Russia to manuever us into contests
which do not touch Immediately the
Russians themselves-as in Korea.
Also, the failure of the United Ma
tions members to rally to the fight
against Red aggression in Korea-leav-
ing this country to carry the burden
almost alone-has had its effect on the
thinking OF the American people. When
Mr.. Hoover said we would be inviting
another Korea"-in Europe-if we
placed a great part of our armed man
power there, before the free nations, of
Europe had armed and were in position
to defend themselves on a large scale.
he was putting into definite words an
SAA4SAA4ASa oAAn4COJ bNU IlCfSI G1l61cSS real.
Proposals Held Too Drastic.
However, in the opinion of many in
cluding some of the Republicans in
Congress, Mr.. Hoover's proposal is too
drastic. While supporting the former
Presidents argument that we must not
extend ourselves too far and be bled
white, they are anxious to help the
European nations. If they are attacked
by Russia and her satellites. The way
to help Is not to wait until they are
under attack, but to assist them to the
limit to build up before the attack
comes. AS one prominent Republican
Senator puts 1t, "A doctor doesn't tell
patient: Wait until you are strong
and then I'll give you some medicine"
Running through the speeches made
by Mr.. Hoover, Gov. Dewey of New
York and Senator Henry Cabot Lodge,
jr., Of Massachusetts,, a Republican
member of the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee who has followed the VAN
denberg line, is a common theme-that
the European nations must build up
themselves and prepare to fight; that
this country cannot and must not un-
dertake to fight all the battles of the
world against Communist aggression.
However. there is this to be said:
Until very recently the United States
itself has not been rebuilding its mill
tary strength at the pace which IS
necessary. Mr.. Lodge has himself asked:
When are We going to get rid of this
creeping paralysis and really mobilize?"
Also, the Europeans are giving signs Of
moving more rapidly toward self-de-
tense. The French have provided for
universal conscription. They have agreed
to the rearming of Western Germany.
The British are moving, and so are other
nations. Mr.. Hoover's speech, too, may
be salutary in that it will impress upon
these friendly nations that they must
not delay If they are to rely on our
all-out aid.
Calls Ruhr Prime Target.
Senator Lodge, addressing the Senate,
pointed out that the prime target today
Is the Ruhr, with its tremendous in
duStrial potential. "If the SoViets could
add the Ruhr to their other gains," said
Mr.. Lodge. they would feel that they
had an industrial potential somewhat
equal to ours and that they could attack
the United States directly. We do not
face the choice of being all in or all
out Of the world. That is dangerous
oversimpli1cation. We face the chal-
lenge of applying our strength in those
places which will best promote our Sc
curity.'
The Lodge speech was made almost
a week before that of Mr.. Hoover.
Both Mr.. Lodge and Mr. Hoover laid
down the idea that the United States
should not scatter its strength, but
should apply it where it would be most
effective for the defense of the American
people. They differ. however, in that
Mr.. Hoover would place no more troops
or dollars in Europe, and Mr.. Lodge
proposes to go ahead arming under the
North Atlantic Pact.
At last, and under the command Of
Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the North
Atlantic nations are getting down to the
business of building up a force to OPP
pose Russia on the continent of Europe.
1t must go forward, with every ounce
of strength the Europeans can put into
it-or the alternative is surely the
Hoover plan.