Evening star., 1951-11-11
East VS.. West
Experts Say Chances
For Accord Are, Slim
By Constantine Brown

For Accord Are, Slim
By Constantine Brown
So long as the Kremlin "hot and
cold" war continues and America and
Britain must spend themselves
toward bankruptcy to meet a pos
slole all-out war with the u. S. S. r.,
it would be against the interests Of
the Kremlin to agree to a settlement
either inside or outside the United
Nations. This is an unofficial but
genuine evaluation by a number of
military and diplomatic experts in
this country and in Great Britain.
In spite of the peace talk and
moves by the diplomats gathered at
Paris. informed diplomatic observers
do not believe that the efforts of the
leaders of the Western nations can
be successful, unless, of course. they
are willing to embark on program
of greater appeasement than ever
before. And this is out of the ques-
ton.
The KremIin obieetives
A painstaking study Of the world
situation. extending over q period
from the end of the Berlin airlift to
date. sums I'D the situation as fol-
lows:
l. The Kremlin is fully cognizant
that America, Britain and the other
Allies are making a real effort to
bring I'D their fighting forces to a
sufficient strength to meet any pos
sible aggression from the East.
2. The Kremlin knows that this
effort is far more costly to the West
ern nations-where the standard of
living of the individual. unlike in the
u. S. S. R. and the iron curtain coun-
tries. is Of paramount importance.
3. The long-range policy Of the
q. S. S. r. since the end of the war
has been to bankrupt America and
Britain-the two countries, she real
ICES. are the most powerful opponents
of her expansion. Britain has almost
reached that stage. We are still
some distance away.
4. Today America must support the
bulk of the cost of rearmament of
all her Allies. Moreover. she may
soon be called to renew the bolster
ing-up of the faltering economies OF
the NATO countries which cannot
stand even the relatively small effort
they are making for their defense.
Britain is admittedly in a predica-
ment from which she can be saved
only by greatly increased American
financial assistance.
Fronee Faces Trouble
The French government has in
formed Averell Hartman and Gen.
Eisenhower that a slice Of military aid
funds should be transferred to eco
nomic assistance next year. The war
in Indo- China, troubles in North
Africa and other personal affairs"
of France are further draining the
treasury. The French people will not
stand for much higher taxation and
the working classes are demanding
increased wages, because OF the rapid
rise in the cost of living. This may
mean increased government subsidies.
Unless the relief demanded by these
pillars of the NATO in Western
Europe is granted, the fabric Of the
defense system will be severely dam
aged. This means that America,
which has about reached the apex OF
taxation herself. must somehow or
other find means to meet these de-
mands.
s. Moscow 10 fully informed Of the
exact situation in these countries.
She hopes that by keeping up the
present "hot-cold" war the economic
and financial stability Of the United
States can be permanently impaired.
In the opinion Of the Kremlin leaders,
as far as this can be gathered.
America must either continue to sup
port the rest of the free world or lose
her allies to the Soviets. There can
be no other alternative. Reaction to
any drastic curtailment Of American
financial and economic assistance
would be such that the present shaky
governments in Western Europe
would be swept out Of power and re-
placed by politicians Of the extreme
left who would adopt "neutralism"
Immediately.
lsoIotionism Would Hurt
6. A wave Of isolationism in this
country would leave us entirely pow
erless. particularly since most OF the
rest of the world would be closed to
us by the iron curtain.
7. The Kremlin is convinced that
the Western world does not have the
means to rearm beyond the need for
defense. The men in the Kremlin
think that there are some military
and political men in the United States
who, after taking careful stock OF
the implications Of the present situa-
ton might favor a preventive war.
But Moscow knows only too well that
neither the people in the United
States nor those in the Allied coun-
tries would ever indorse such a step.
Only dictators can wage aggressive
or preventive wars. In countries with
parliamentary systems and free elec-
tions such possibility does not exist
Hence, the u. s. s. r. does not feal
that the present military prepara-
tions of the United States and hel
associates ever will be used for q
preventive war. Moscow knows that
so long as hot wars are being waged
on the periphery Of the Western
coalition by puppets or satellites, the
u. S. S. R. risks nothing and gains
everything.
War Could Have Ended
8. In keeping with this policy Of
draining the resources Of Americs
al1inr NHnrnna1r uri1l nn1afiHa1ie