Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-06-29
Arms Aid Necessary
Least 3 More Years,
Gen. Marshall Says
By Cecil HoIIond

VCH. lV0lSlloN JaY9
By Cecil HoIIond
Secretary of Defense MARSHALL
told Congress today the United
States must expect to continue
for three more years "at least"
the multi-billion spending for for
eign military aid to strengthen
the security of America and Of
the free nations"
Gen. Marshall, testifying be-
fore the House Foreign Affairs
Committee, said the undertaking
is "a project of self interest for
this country, Of the highest and
most pressing urgency"
The committee is considering
the administrators program for
$6.5 billion of American military
and economic aid abroad for the
fiscal year starting Sunday.
Must Meet Crucial Test.
"a crucial test of the mutual
security program must be met in
Western Europe" Gen. Marshall
said. Military assistance to these
nations offers the best prospect
for the success of our collectiveI
security efforts
Gen. Marshall described theI
foreign assistance program as
one of major Importance" and
said it should be adopted as
quickly as possible.
Under questioning by Chairman
Richardson the Secretary said the
program is a part of this coun-l
try'S general plan for defense and
added:
Here we are proposing dollars.
On the receiving end they are
receiving human lives
Gen. Marshall told Representa-
tive Battle, Democrat. of Ala
bama, that he thought the prog
ress in the North Atlantic pact
countries justified the multi-bil-
lion dollar program. But he en-
phasized that it is an undertaking
which this country could carry
on indefinitely.
Questioned on Korea Truce.
Representative Judd, Republic
can, of Minnesota noted the pos
sibility of truce in Korea and
asked Gen. Marshall if he thought
Korea could be defended in the
future if some cease-fire arrange
ment should be worked out. Gen.
Marshall replied that would de-
pend to considerable extent ION
the state of our own power"
Mr.. Judd asked what would be
done in the event the Chinese
Communists, freed from their
present difficulties in Korea"
should move into Burma or some
other place.
Gen. Marshall replied that he
thought the Chinese Communists
would hesitate quite bit" before
launching a new aggression. But
he added that he would not say
what he would recommend in the
event of an attack on Burma or
some other place, pointing out
that too much information has
been disclosed on this country's
intentions and plans.
Depends on Future Events.
The administration program
earmarks $6.3 billion for foreign
military assistance, with most of
1t going to Western Europe.
Gen. Marshall said the duration
Of the program must depend on
future events" and added:
"All things being equal. and I
realize that things will not remain
static, I fell that the requirement.
for funds for our military as
SiStance program will be at least
the same level in fiscal year 1858
and in fiscal year 1854 as is being
requested for this fiscal year.
Thereafter most of the Euro
pean countries should be in full
production. their initial rearma-
ment well under way, with general
financial capabilities to maintain
such a level of defense, so that
their requirements for military
end items from the United States
can be substantially reduced"
The Secretary said that moraleI
OF the countries associated With
the United States in the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization hasI
improved since receiving equip
ment from this country and "a
sense of urgency has developed
among them"
Economic Aid Essential.
Gen. Marshall said economic as
slstance was essential for the
military defense of the free ma
lions. He listed these four rea-
sons why economic aid should be
continued in varying size for theI
individual nations:
/. To support rearmament pro-
grams among nations which might
become impoverished if they hadI
to depend solely on themselves. 81
2. To permit production of
munitions, especially in Europe,
to relieve the United States of
a continuing grant aid program
8. To finance civil 'ilities nee
essary for military plans, such as
airf1elds, harbors and communica-
tons.
4. To strengthen living stand
ards in under-developed areas
where the Communists ARE try
Ing to exploit the impoverished
situation to their ADVANTAGE"