Evening star., 1951-01-21

SrOuIlQ 1OICGS LII C1le MChIIt%
ranean countries-Spain, Turkey,
Greece and Yugloslavia.
.(2) The availability of import
ant bases on both sides of the
Mediterranean, which are not
within reach of the Soviet armies
or their fifth columns.
90 Psychological factors, which
make the prospects Of resisting
aggression better in tho Mediter-
ranean basin than, in other areas
closer to the Red forces.
Pick Our battle-ground
We have pledged to intervene
with the full weight of our forces
in the event of a Soviet aggres-
sion in Western Europe. But
that does not mean that we have
undertaken to fight losing battles
in areas chosen by the Russians.
That would be too costly for us
and too destructive for the ma
tlOnS involved.
In the event that Russia de-
cides to extend the present wal
from Asia to Europe we must
expect to suffer defeats. The
territories of many of our Allies
may be invaded and occupied
by the enemy. Their liberation
can come only if we apply maxi
mum pressure in other parts OF
Europe, where Russia is more vul-
nerable.
All these considerations are
based on a Soviet aggression be-
fore the cumbersome political ma
chinery of the Western European
democracies can be set in motion
to translate their paper armies
into actual live forces.
Except for nine divisions avail
able for action in France, Bel
GUM, Holland and Denmark,
these members of the Atlantic
pact have nothing available. Nor
way needs all her forces at home.
Under the best conditions, with
everything running smoothly, the
Atlantic pact nations may have
another four divisions by the end
Of this year.
The Mediterranean countries
except Italy-already have nu-
merically important armies under
arms. All they need now are
heavy weapons and air defense
The American and British air
forces can take care of the latter.
Italy is reorganizing her forces
now, but cannot be counted on
seriously because of the vast Com
munist forces - more than two
million-in that country.
Better Prepared
Greece. once a weak militar;
nation. has emerged as a first.
class fighting country. Its people
were saved from Communist
domination in the nick of time
The Greek standing army, with
150. 900 trained soldiers and some
100000 in reserve, represents a
bigger and better fighting force
than those of the Benelux coun-
tries.
Yugoslavia has about 250, 900
fully trained and equipped troops.
They are strongly opposed to the
Moscow brand of imperialistic
communism. Tito has burned his
bridges insofar as the Kremlin is
concerned. His only salvation is
to side with the Western nations.
Farther to the East is the
strongest and best military power
in Europe-Turkey. 1t already
has demonstrated the brilliant
lighting ability of its American
trained and equipped forces in
Korea. It has demonstrated its
loyalty to the United Nations and
Is the only country which, after
the defeats Of U. N. forces in Korea
during the past month. offered of
its own volition an additional
10000 men to continue the fight.
The Turkish regular army is
estimated at about 275,0O0 men.
It's reserves amount to twice that
figure.
Thus. in the Mediterranean
there are trained and partially
equiPped armies exceeding by far
in numbers the forces which
France and the other continental
members of the Atlantic pact
could put in the field even three
years from now.
All that is needed to make them
into a military force, capable cf
making Russia hesitate to jump
of in another aggression, is mod
ern military equipment.
Spain has its own small arms
factories. But it needs desperately
tanks, radar, anti-aircraft artillery
and communications material, in
Guiding railway equipment and
trucks. Some of these things
could be built in Spain if it's fac
tories were provided with the
necessary tools and experts.
Tito Double.Crossed
Yugoslavia has Russian war
material and it's active forces
eventually will have to be re-
equipped. The Russians double
crossed Tito, even in the days
when he was their favorite stooge
IN the Balkans. The tanks and
motorized equipment sold to him
as new were discovered to be
secondhand. They were merely
repainted to look like new.
Greece and Turkey for the last
four years have been receiving
military equipment from the
United States to the tune of some
$3.50 million a year. But both
armies now need larger quantities
than they have received 50 far