Evening star., 1951-08-15

VA Va OAA1CC0 kOtdtCo CAPoIASlOI dJ
about the figure now reached. j..
While in terms of manpower
the European NATO countries
have a total population between
10 and Is per cent larger than
that of the United States, they
have an aggregate production out
put which is estimated at less than
one-third that of the United
States for the year ending l July,
1852. The European effort as
currently projected for the coming
year is roughly at the level which
lit appears to be in the United
States interest to propose. :, =.
Economic Progress.
Senator Lodge-What economic
progress has been achieved in the
western European countries from
"a security standpoint?
Gen. Gruenther- The ag-
gregate military budgets of Euro
pean NATO countries have in
creased approximately rs per cent
between a date just prior to
Korea and the present time.
Munitions production has in
creased approximately 10 per cent
in the same period. Our current
estimate is that total military
budgets are fairly close to the
level which is sound and wise for
these countries to attempt 70
meet, and that their present pro,
duction targets for the coming
year are also at a fairly good
percentage of this level.
Senator Lodge-IS the strength
of the Communist movement in
the Western European NATO
countries on the decline?
Gen. Gruenther-Our informe-
ton. from political agencies here,
is that Communist strength has
steadily declined in Western
Europe in the last several years.
The published official figures on
the results of elections in most of
the European NATO countries in
the last few years bear out this
observation.
Effects of Proposed Cuts.
Senator Lodge-What would be
the effect Of cutting the proposed
arms aid for fiscal so in half,
or stretching it out over a period
of two years, instead of one?
Gen. Gruenther-. In terms
of divisions the effect of cutting
back to half would be to accept
a reduction of approximately Is
per cent in the total equivalent
European divisions now pro-
grammed to be in existence at the
end of 1852.
In air units the situation is es-
sentially the same. A cut of some
.25 per cent in air units would be
the result.
Damaging as this cutback
would be, there is a vastly more
critical impact to be anticipated.
I. The European countries do
not have the strength and re-
silence which the United States
possesses to tolerate sweeping fiuc-
tuations In programs once estab-
hShed, to which their conservation
and production efforts are geared
!. >. A severe crisis in confidence
and severe handicapping if not
actual underwriting of Gen.
Eisenhower in the accomplishment
OF his mission with respect to in
ducing full efforts from these
countries is the only consequence
that can reasonably be ex-
Senator Lodge-Do you con-
slider that it is desirable and con-
slstent with military detectives
to continue an economic aid pro-
gram in Europe?
Gen. Gruenther-. This cues
ton itself really falls into two
parts: (a) is economic strength
IN Europe necessary to the sue
cessful completion of the military
program, and (b) is United States
economic aid necessary to the
maintenance of this basic eco
nomic strength?
The answer to both questions
must clearly be yes" for this
intensive build-up period in which
we are now engaged