Evening star., 1951-07-24
The Political Mill
Eisenhower Availability
As Candidate Doubted
General Intent on New Army,
Returning Senators Soy
By Gould Lincoln

The reports brought back by the group
Of members Of the Senate Foreign Re-
lations Committee who have just re-
turned from an inquiry, In Europe, OF
the progress being made in the organi-
cation of the NATO armed forces, cast
doubt on the availability Of Gen. Dwight
D. Eisenhower as o presidential candi-
date next year.
One Of them said very frankly he did
not think that the work Of developing
the NATO army could be completed or
pushed so far along that Gen. Eisen.
hower's presence as supreme COM
mander would not be vital for another
year. He added that Gen. Eisenhower
is almost fanatical in his desire to bring
his work there to successful completion.
If this description Of the situation
abroad is correct, then the Republicans
who are backing Gen. Eisenhower for
the G. o. P. nomination next year may
have to revise their plans. Further. if
anything interferes with an Eisenhower
candidacy the result may be to catapult
Senator Taft into first place In the race
for the presidential nomination. Incl
dentally, the Senator who made the COM
ments on the situation has been very
4IleIlQIy 10 1a1L canQlQacy.
Could Be Real Change.
There could, Of course, be q real change
in another six months. with the mem
bers of the North Atlantic Security
Treaty nations showing marked progress
in their rearmament. But apparently
most Of the Senators came back from
their European trip convinced that
things are not moving anywhere near
fast enough.
The sudden death of Admiral Forrest
P. Sherman, Chief of Naval Operations.
IN Naples, Italy, also has put damper
on the hopes Of those who figured that
Gen. Eisenhower could step out of his
command Of the NATO forces. For Ad-
miral Sherman, in the opinion of some,
was the ideal man to whom to turn over
the command of these forces II and
when Gen. Eisenhower stepped aside.
The late admiral, it was contended, had
many Of the qualifications and qualities
which make Gen. Eisenhower the ideal
organizer Of this force to defend West
ern Europe against possible Communist
aggression. Just before Admiral Sher.
mans death. it was pointed out, he con-
Quoted with great ability negotiations
with the Franco government in Spain
for setting UP naval and air bases for
this country in Spain.
Wants Single Uniform.
Gen. Eisenhower, according to Senator
Brewster. Maine Republican, is now in
tent on forming non-national Euro
pean army, under single nag and
command. to defend Western Europe
against Communist attack. The uni
form Of all the troops, whether British.
French, German. Belgian or Italian,
would be the same. It is not his pur-
pose, however, to integrate the Ameri-
: can divisions with this force, but to
maintain them as Americans on duty
overseas.
Such drive by Gen. Eisenhower may
delay still further, it is suggested, the
completion of the plans for the NATO
forces of defense. The British have
been opposed to the idea, whereas the
French and the Western Germans ap-
pear to favor one-uniform army. The
British have an expected election COM
ing up in October, and all parties are
being particularly cagey at this time.
Gen. Eisenhower was described by
visiting Senators as being worked to
DEATH" Not only does he have the
problem of organizing the NATO forces.
and squirting the nations to do their
full share. but he is visited constantly
by big-wig Americans who insist on
seeing "Ike" Also. 1t is said. If the
Republican hackers who want to see him
run for President become too vocal. he
may be forced to make statement soon
definitely taking him out of the political
picture for next year.