Evening star., 1950-12-20
First Steps on q Lonq Road

First Steps on a Long Road
The free world has taken the first tentative
steps toward erecting in Europe a bulwark
against the rising threat of Communist domina-
ton. The representatives of the - Atlantic Pact
nations, meeting in Brussels have agreed upon
a plan for organizing an international army to
defend the West and General Eisenhower has
been named as its supreme commander.
This is all to the good. But let US make no
mistake about it: We have made no more than
a tiny start down what is going to be long,
hard and dangerous road.
Under the best Of circumstances, the OUT
look would be uncertain enough. With General
Eisenhower in command, the American people
will have confidence that he win do everything
possible to bring this ambitious project to
successful conclusion. But the problems are
many and difficult. Will the western European
peoples, who have done almost nothing up to
this time, now apply themselves to the business
Of rearming with that determination and sense
Of urgency which the situation requires? II they
do not. the effort will surely fail.
How useful will the Germans be-? After
months Of haggling, the French have finally
agreed upon West German force Of 10000
men, divided in Is regimental combat teams
of 5000 men each. Although this may be about
as many as could be raised, trained and equipped
in the immediate future, it represents very
small draft on the German potential Nor is
there any assurance that the Germans will do
even this much. They have been demanding
equality as their price OF cooperation in the
defense of Europe, and we may be sure that at
best, they will try to drive q hard bargain.
Looming even larger than difficulties such
is AZ hat Rnsci will do
As of this moment, it would not be possible
for Western Europe to offer any defense worthy
of the name against serious Russian invasion
This dangerous situation cannot be materially
altered In less than from one to two years. And
even then the Russians would retain great
advantages
that 1t needs? We are proceeding, because we
have no other choice, on the assumption that
we will be given the time. But this is the
greatest gamble of all.
The tone of Russian propaganda has been
oninous. They have been trying to frighten
the people OF Western Europe hoping to dissuade
them from doing anything to defend themselves,
and they have had some success Presumably
the Russians viii wait for a while to see how
things go. If it should appear, however, that
real progress Is being made with the rearmamert
project, then the Russians, despite our supposed
atomic superiority, may decide that the time
has come to strike. 49,.
This danger is real, and we must not under
estimate t. It poses some exceedingly delicate
questions for u.s. The Europeans will be watch
ing us Just as closely as we will be watching
them. They want proof of our Intentions and
unless we commit ourselves heavily in Europe,
both in terms of men and materiel they will
conclude that they are being left to hold the
bag and probably will throw in the towel.
On the other hand, there is grave risk that
we will lose any investment we make in Europe.
The Russians have overwhelming superiority in
ground forces, and enough troops modified and
within striking distance to oyerrun Europe II they
choose to make the effort. Furthermore, for at
least the next two years, the initiative will rest
with them. If they should choose the right time
to move, we might lose everything we have put
into Europe.
This is not an argument for backing out-if
the nations OF Western Europe are in earnest
about this business. II we do not stand together,
we shall have to face consequences alone that
would hardly be less on1inous It does mean
however, that the Brussels announcement and
the appointment of General Eisenhower have
not solved our problem. We are just getting
started, and the worst is yet to come.