Evening star., 1951-07-22

N4lOlc lId1d-WOil piOEI all 1Ol pC<
These are the biggest question
be tentative. There is good reason
however. to be hopeful abou
them. For. on the record, at least
Western Europe has taken its de-
cision: The defense program viii
60 ahead until some time arounC
the end of 1853 when Western
Europe's forces, plus compile
mentary forces from the Unitec
States, should be adequate "or
the ground" and Gin the air."
Between now and then the "a
bomb will remain the prime deter
rent to Russian aggression.
Planting Asparagus
Like a well-tended asparagu:
bed, the defenses of Western Eu-
rope are now beginning to sprout
up all over the place. The switch
over of factories to war production
the construction of airdromes, the
training of conscripts, the equip
ment of units with new weapons
and the organization of commands
all this is just getting nicely
under way after months Of fum-
bling and preparation. Big mill
tary budgets have been voted by
national parliaments and adjust
ments are being made to allow
armaments programs to proceed
The whole program has begun
10 achieve momentum. It will take
more than one half hearted re-
treat by q distant Communist
puppet to check 1t.
Every one Of the II countries
In the North Atlantic treaty has
announced its intention not to be
diverted from the job 1t has un-
dertaken.
Several things will be absolutely
necessary II this happy state OF
affairs is to continue:
l. The United States will have
10 continue Its own defense pro-
gram.
1t must Get an example to
weaker and less prosperous mem
bers OF the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization.
1t must also have the muscle to
make NATO effective. All Of the
other IL members put together
will never have the power to face
Russia without us. Even with a
fully-armed Western Germany on
their side. they would not be
strong enough.
Aid Must Continue
2. The United States will have
to continue its military aid to
Europe. Without such aid, West
ern Europe cannot possibly main
tain a decent standard Of living
and arm at the same time.
The amount of this aid may be
cut greatly as time goes on, but
for the moment 1t must be sub
stantial.
Such aid-including American
war materiel. and raw materials
and machine tools for Europe's
Own armaments industry-came
to 81 billion in the fiscal year July
l, 1949, to June 80. 1850. It was
epped to $4.504 billion In 1885,
81. For the current year, the
President is asking for 1928 bill
lion as part Of q package appro-
priation under the Mutual Sc
curity Act of 1851"
This request is now being ton
sidered by various committees Of
the House. It has not yet gone
to the Senate.
3. The governments Of Great
Britain, France and Italy must be
moderate, reasonable and loyal
governments. A conservative gov
ernment In Britain, for instance.
might bring q wave OF strikes: a.
left-wing government dominated
by o man like Aneurin Bevan, on
the other hand, would probably
try to cut the armaments pro-
gram.
In France, q Gaullist govern
ment would also bring widespread
labor trouble. and would be hard
for Gen. Eisenhower and the
United States to deal with.
4. A fair degree Of economic
prosperity must be maintained as
q background to heavy defense
expenditure. The flrst condition
here Is continued American pros
perity. An American recession,
with q heavy decrease in Ameri-
can imports from Europe and a
slice in American aid to Europe
might be fatal.
Although Western Europe may
not be safe on the ground until
1888, the North Atlantic treaty
has already changed the picture
radically to Russia's disadvantage.
Power BoIonce Swinging
BY the end Of this year, the
ground forces in Western Europe
should already be strong enough
to allow Gen. Eisenhower and his
Allied team to think seriously Of
holding the Rhine in case Of a
Russian attack.
At the beginning of this year,
Western Germany was defended
by two British divisions, two
divisions, two French
divisions and a handful of troops
from Belgium, Denmark and Nor
way.
BY the end Of 1851, there will
be four first-class British divisions,
two armored divisions,
In Germany. There will be six
divisions. four of which
will be first class. The French
will have ten divisions available
for use, and they will be properly
with modern American
The Netherlands will be able to
mobilize three infantry divisions,
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