Evening star., 1951-11-07
New Par|eys Likely
Before US. Can Speed
Arms Flow 10 Europe
By Elton c. Fay
Associated Press Military Affairs Reporter

New conferences by Gen. ElSen-
hover in Europe and some inven-
tory-taking by each of the West
ern European nations will be
needed before the United States
is ready to translate it's broad as
surance of a speedup in arms aid
into specific promises On tonnages
and percentages.
In his Washington talks with
White House, military and defense
production officials. informed
sources said today. Gen. Eisen-
hover was assured that the flow of
arms to the Western European
forces would be increased.
But he also was reported to
have been told that he should
hold an early meeting with w.
Averell Hartman, head of the
Mutual Security Agency, who left
Washington for Paris late last
week.
FleiShmann Leaves.
Moreover, it was noted that
Defense Production Administrator
Manly Fleischmann planned to
start for Europe today to talk with
defense chiefs of the North At
lantic Treaty Organization ma
tions in Paris and London.
From the findings by Mr.. Harri-
man and Mr.. Fleischmann and
the reports by Gen. Eisenhower,
pieces of the problem can be
fitted together-how much each
NATO member has now in way
of military equipment, how much
more it can produce and how fast.
Only then can the United States
be in a position to make specific
promises on tonnages and delivery
timetables to help get up to 30
divisions fully armed as quickly
as possible.
Gen. Eisenhower's departure
coincided with expressions from
official quarters that greater pro-
duction effort is needed. President
Truman spoke of much trouble"
Anna Rosenberg. Assistant Sec
retary of Defense, told reporters:
"The formula of guns and butter
is out. It is guns first-then but
ter, If possible"
Johnson AssailS Planners.
Senator Lyndon johnson, Dem
ocrat. OF Texas, head of an Armed
Services subcommittee Watchdog
ging the mobilization program.
said deliveries to NATO forces are
substantially behind schedule and
assailed production planners.
Unfortunately. our defense mo-
bilization planners have devoted
too much of our productive re-
sources to non-esSential civilian
goods and too little to vitally
necessary armaments," Senator
Johnson said.
I'VE cannot repel Soviet tanks
with passenger limousines, and
rubber dolls afford little defense
against Russian artillery shells"
Senator johnson made the COM
mentS in letter to Senator Lodge.
Republican. of Massachusetts,, who
had suggested an inquiry into re-
ports that Gen. Eisenhower
forces were receiving only a fifth
OF the weapons and equipment
which schedules called for.
Before he came to WASHINGTON.
Gen. Eisenhower was described as
concerned over what seemed to
him a too-small percentage in the
division Of equipment between
United States forces
and the Western European armies
and air forces.
Won't Compete With Korea,
He emphasized yesterday, in
talking to reporters. that neither
he nor any Of his staff would
for one moment ask for any single
item OF equipment that is needed
by the soldiers fighting" in Korea.
That made it apparent that what
ever additional tanks. guns and
Gen. Eisenhower's forces
may be given during the next few
must come out Of produc-
ton that otherwise would 20 to
up American air, ground
and sea forces.
Gen. Eisenhower said the NATO
organization in Europe already is
down to the "sweaty work" on
budgets-"what are they produc-
ing? Can they do more?"
This meant that in getting ready.
for equipping another IL or IS
the European NATO
members must decide how much
more of staple items they could
produce themselves-food, cloth
ing, shoes. ammunition, small
vehicles-then what addi-
tional materials in the category
of other weapons and supplies
would have to come from outside
help.