Evening star., 1951-05-24


an isolated garrison state.
That is why, three years ago
when the countries Of Europe
were trembling on the brink O.
economic collapse, the United
States launched its program o.
aid for European recovery.
That is why, two years ago, the
United States and Canada joined
Ito Western European countries
iceland, Great Britain. Norway
Denmark, the Netherlands, Bel
Igium. Luxembourg, France, Portu-
Igal and Italy-in the North At
llantic treaty, declaring that ar
attack on one would be considered
AN attack on all.
The North Atlantic treaty re-
fleets the basic fact of interna-
tional life that the freedom OF
Western Europe and the freedom
|of North America are inseparable
Under that treaty. defense plans
have been developed by the mill
tary leaders of the North Atlantic
treaty countries. Under Gen
|Eisenhower's central command, q
unified army. navy and air force
is being organized for the defense
|of Western Europe. composed OF
national forces assigned by indi-
vidual nations.
The key element in the defense
Of free Europe is the ability te
hold on the ground. Western Eu-
rope lacks the insulation of wide
oceans. Major preparations must
therefore be made to hold it's lands
by well-armed manpower on the
ground, by the great striking force
of airpower, and by a seapowel
which commands its surrounding
waters and important lines OF
communication.
The European countries them
selves are providing the great ma.
jority of the forces needed. The
United States also has Army, Navy
and Air Force units in Europe
which add to the power of the
combined defense forces, and more
units will move there, both from
this country and from Canada.
Recovery Held Remarkable.
Rearmament will cause a severe
drain on the Western European
countries. Through their own ef-
forts, national and collective, and
with the vital assistance of the
Marshall Plan. Western Europe
has made remarkable record OF
economic recovery since 1947. Pro-
ductlon and trade have been re-
stored and financial conditions
have been greatly improved. In
the free countries of Europe, Com
munism has been checked and
thrown back. The original goals
OF the Marshall Plan have been
largely achieved.
But the Western European
countries are by no means vet
tree from the after effects Of the
most destructive war in history
The European countries cannot
move rapidly into sufficient large
scale military production to pro-
vide all the equipment required fol
the essential expansion of their
forces. Over the next few years
they do expect to increase their
production Of military equipment
In the coming fiscal year. it will be
more than double the pre-Korear
rate. But the most they can do will
not be enough to equip Their
armed forces on the time schedule
necessary for the common defense
In the Immediately coming
years, the crucial need is to pro.
duce the initial equipment for 6
very rapid build-up of forces. The
expanding European productive
capacity will contribute increas-
ingly to this buildup. With thi.
capacity, Europe should be able tx
meet the smaller continuing main.
tenance and replacement require.
ments without substantial outside
aid.
Because of the degree Of eco
nomic recovery which has been
attained, the total economic as
|sistance I am requesting for Eu-
|ropean countries next year-de-
spite the large new burdens o1
European rearmament-is sub.
stantially reduced from the