Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-02-15

AASitO III VIC 4AIP1ClAlC1ltd WILL Va
this decision is the degree to
which our friends match our &C
tons in this regard. Firm pro-
grams for the development of
their forces will be expected to
keep full step with dispatch of
additional United States forces to
Europe"
Gen. Eisenhower outlined to
you the responsibility which he
possesses, and which he intends
to exercise, to assure that all
members of the North Atlantic
treaty contribute the maximum
amount of strength which their
geographic. economic and man.
power situations permit. In the
key position to which he has been
named at the request of the ma
tons which make up the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization. Gen
Eisenhower will be in a position to
insist that all members of the
North Atlantic treaty play their
full parts in this vital undertak-
ing. -.
Proportionately. the American
contribution will be greater in air
and in naval forces than in
ground forces, for the greater
strength of the United States is
III the air and on the sea. Pro-
portionately also, our contribution
will be greater in the production
of munitions, than in the pro-
vision of manpower-for the in
Custrial capacity of the United
States is the greatest of any of
the member nations of the North
Atlantic treaty.
In all that we are doing. as
just outlined, we are specifically
carrying out the instructions of
the Congress with respect to the
preparation, and the approval by
the President. of integrated plans
for the defense of the North At
lantic area. AS a result of the
various steps outlined earlier. these
plans are now well advanced, and
Gen. Eisenhower. as you know, has
assumed supreme command.
Freedom of Action.
In order for him to succeed in
this most difficult and critical of
assignments. it is essential that
he not be deprived of that free
dom of action which is so neces-
sary to a military commander
/ realize, of course. that whenever
this issue of f1exibility is raised,
some people will say, IF the fight
ing starts in Europe, the military
commanders will be given COM
plete freedom of action"
But what we want above every
thing else is something infinitely
more important-namely, GER
tain freedom of action to establish
deterrent against the develop
ment of general war.
Moving in an international set
ting in a military way is at best
fraught with many and otter
great difficulties. We had them
throughout the last World War
but we successfully overcame the
problems and proceeded to vic
torious conclusion of the war. In
this situation. though, we have
a far more delicate and more dan.
gerous situation to deal with.
The most important, the great.
est factor in the creation of mill.
tary strength for Western Europ,
in my opinion is the buildup O.
morale-of the will to defend
the determination to fight if tina
be necessary. And because of tn,
events Of the past few years ane
the increasing threat presented BY
the Soviet Union, we have an ex.
ceedingly difficult situation witt
which to deal. in the way of prep.
arationS which we hope will en-.
able us to avoid war and will helr
us to take the necessary action, i
war is thrust upon us.
Under these conditions, having
in mind the various measures
which have been taken by the
Senate in regard to the NORTH
Atlantic community, the fewel
limitations you impose upon the
military establishment the better
off we will be. And incidentally
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