Evening star., 1951-02-17
The Political Mill
Congress Sure to Vote
Troop Use in Europe
Form Approval Will Take
Still Is Undetermined
By Gould Lincoln

Still Is Undetermined
By Gould Lincoln
Congressional approval-in some form
of the policy OF sending American
troops to Western Europe to become
part of an integrated force to deter
and oppose Russian aggression now ap-
pears certain. The appearance OF De-
fense Secretary Marshall before the Sem
ate Foreign Relations and Armed Serv-
ices Committees has gone long way
toward lessening opposition in Congress
and elseWhere-to that policy.
Gen. Marshall, by his presentation, in
creased greatly confidence In the adj
ministration's plans and he punctured
the phantom of hundreds Of thousands
even millions-of American soldiers
destined for duty in Europe. He said
that present plans contemplated the
sending of four more Army divisions to
that area.
Just what form this approval will
take remains to be determined. Inc
Senate at present Is carrying the ball.
It's committees are considering simple
Senate resolution offered by Senator
Wherry of Nebraska, Republican noor
leader, declaring it the sense OF the
Senate that no ground forces OF the
United States should be assigned to duty
in Europe pending the adoption OF
policy with respect thereto by Congress.
Policy Declaration Seen.
Confidence is expressed that the action
taken will bypass the Wherry resolu-
ton and declare q policy in support OF
sending American troops to help build
UP the integrated forces Of the North
Atlantic treaty nations. Whether the
action is to be through simple Senate
resolution, or whether the House will
be requested to join in concurrent
or ioint resolution Is still q question.
There seems to be growing support for
Joint action by the two houses, on the
theory that such action would strengthen
the position of the United States IN
this matter. It Is a decision on which
the leaders in both houses and the
President find it advisable to consult.
The contest over stating the policy
and it looks now as though such con-
test will develop in the Senate in view
of the attitude Of Senators Taft OF Ohio
and Wherry-will arise over an attempt
to fix ceiling or some other form OF
limitation on the number OF American
troops that may be assigned to the
forces in Europe under the command
of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower. Such
a limitation is regarded as unwise by
Gen. Eisenhower himself and by Gen.
Marshall and the military advisers Of
the administration. No one knows what
the international situation may be q
year or even a month from today.
Considerable support for limiting the
number of American troops to be sent
to Europe by congressional action, mas
existed. Gen. Marshall, however, did
much to reduce this support. II and
when a showdown comes in the Senate
on this issue, it will find the opponents
of such limitation in the majority, 1t Is
predicted The idea that American
troops are expected to become the bulk
of the Eisenhower army in Europe mas
been exploded definitely by Gen. Eisen-
hover, Gen. Marshall and Secretary OF
State Acheson. The great bulk OF the
manpower is to be European.
Argument Being Used.
Effectively the argument is being used
that whatever America does shall not
be "too little and too late"-especlaily
If it is to deter Russian attack in Europe.
or attack by Russia's satellites. Enough
Republican Senators to oppose the Taft
Wherry limitation ideas are now eX-
pected to offset any Democratic losses
the administration leadership may suf1er.
The fact that American forces have
constituted 80 per cent of the United
Nations army in the Korean war has
been responsible partly for the senu-
ment in favor of limiting in some way
the number of American troops that
NAV be assigned to the European area.
Prime Minister Attlee of Great Britain
has worsened the situation by his SOFT
attitude toward the Chinese Reds VINO
have entered the Korean war IN pig
way.
The Truman administration has come
around finally to the wisdom OF having
congressional approval of the policy VI
sending American troops to the Euro
pean area. The attitude of the Presi-
dent-that he had the power and would
do as he saw fit-has not registered well
with the American people. The change
of attitude was well expressed by sec
retary of State Acheson when ne toio
the Senate Committees yesterday:
'At this moment, there could De no
greater contribution to the cause OF
peace than for the Government OF the
United States, in all its branches. to
reafirm the course of action on which
we are moving"