Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-03-11
Long Steps Forward

The salient truth which shines clearly
through the murk Of debate and argument in
the Senate last week is that two long steps have
been taken toward the goal Of greater security
for America in a safer free world
The counsels of timdty and short-sighted-
ness have been rejected The fear that spirit
of defeatism and the blind longing for times
and conditions that no longer exist would
operate to prevent this Nation from assuming
its rightfu role of leadership has, at this stage
been proved groundleSs. Compromises have been
made, of course, but there does not appear to be
anything in them that will make it impossible
or unduly difficult for this country to play its
appropriate and, one might say, indispensable
part in rallying the Western nations to the
defense of their freedoms:
The first step was taken and the first
victory won when the combined Senate Foreign
Relations and Armed Services Committees voted,
% to 0, to indorse the administrators decision
to station American ground troops in Europe
under the obligations imposed upon us by the
Atlantic pact. Under the terms of the resolu-
ton the President must consult with Congress
before sending troops to Europe. (This does
not apply to the four divisions already scheduled
for overseas duty.) Another provision Is designed
to bring the House into the consultations If it
wishes to participate. A third would have Con-
gress notify the European countries that they
are expected to make the major contribution in
ground forces.
These reservations will be distaSteful to the
administration. But they do not tie the hands
of the President, General Eisenhower or the
Joint Chiefs of Staff The Star believes they
should be finally adopted, if for no other reason
than in the interests of national harmony
The second step came with passage by the
Senate, the final vote being 10 to S, of the mill
tary manpower BILL
In its most important provisions, this bill
% lowers the draft age to 18, with the proviso
that all available men above that age must be
called first; 60 increases the period of service
from 81 to "a months; (3) sets up system of
universal military training, to be put into effect
at some future time when immediate military
service becomes unnecessary, and, (4) imposes
ceiling of million on the armed forces. go.
Here again, one finds compromises. The
length of service is shorter than desired by our
military leaders, and the million ceiling was
opposed by them. But The Star does not believe
that these defects, if they can properly be called
that. are serious
For the long pull, the greatest achievement
is the provision for universal military service.
This was threatened by an amendment offered
by Senator Taft to put a time limit of four years
on the legislation This was beaten, So to 80.
Had 1t passed, the effect might have been, as
Senator Lyndon Johnson said, to repeal UNIT
before it goes into effect But Senator Taft
did not prevail, and the result is that UNIT
seems well on it's way to final approval.
1t is true that many hurdles remain. When
the troops-for- Europe issue comes to the floor
of the Senate there will be determined effort
to water down and vitiate the stand the two
committees have taken. And both this measure
and the manpower bill must face the hazards
of House action.
STILL there is reason to believe that the end
result will be satisfactory The strength Of these
measures is that they are designed to fit, not
theories or wishful thinking, but the harsh facts
Of the world in which we live The things that
they would have this country do are essential
to it's security and this will become increasingly
apparent as the legislative process moves along.
And therefore, in The Stars opinion, the argu-
ments and the appeals of those who will not
face reality must, in the end. yield to that basic
common sense which is part of our American
heritage.