Evening star., 1951-02-17

tionalism makes these peoples
Foreign Policy
Continued From First Page)
mittees - Foreign Relations and
Armed Services-conducting the
joint hearings yesterday after
noon.
| The quiet-spoken military lead
er told the committees 1--WE can
not base our planes and ships on
fields and ports that are unde-
Tended. The adequate defense of
an area-and especially the i'm
portant area of Europe-Will re-
quire American divisions
| Although the hearings have an
other week to run, it already is
apparent the Senate will be asked
to express its general approval of
the Administrations decision TO
send more ground troops to Eu-
rope. Such a resolution is eX-
pected to emerge from the two
committees as substitute for tie
Wherry proposal.
The only question likely to con-
front the 26 Senators on the two
committees is whether to write
into the resolution some ratio Of
American to European divisions, or
some percentage limitation on the
portion of the American Army
which should be stationed in Eu-
rope to deter Russia.
Taft Leads Limitation Fight.
Senator Taft of Ohio. chairman
of the Republican Policy Com
mittee, is leading the fight for a
limitation He is not on either
of the committees handling the
subject, but would have a chance
to make his fight on the Senate
floor if no limitation is in the
resolution as reported. 1t is too
early to tell how the Senate would
line up on a limitation amend
ment.
In the first two days of testi-
mony Defense Secretary Marshall.
Secretary of State Acheson and
Gen. Bradley have agreed any
limitation would be unwise and
would tena to offset one of the
main purposes of increasing the
American garrison overseas
namely, to build up the morale of
the other treaty nations and en-
courage them to increase their
own armies.
The revelation that present
plans call for sending only four
more divisions to join the two
already on occupation duty ap-
pears to have eased the demand
for limitation, but has not halted
the drive.
Senator Douglas of Illinois, one
of several Democrats who have
been considerating some ceiling
provision, summed up the situa-
ton last night, when he said:
Until yesterday I had assumed
from published press comment
that we were to contribute to this
army a total of 10 divisions, or
from one-ffth to one-sixth of the
total number. I had thought that
this proportion was not excessive.
But yesterday (ThurSday) Secre-
tary Marshall testified it was
proposed to send only four ad-
ditional divisions. making a total
of six. This would be from one
eighth tc one-tenth of the total
ground forces.
/ This seems to be modest
enough figure and it weakens, al
though it does not entirely remove
the case for Congress fixing a
rough ratio of our troops to those
of the others"
Bradley Highlights.
/ Highlights of Gen. Bradley's
testimony were:
! The two American divisions al
ready in Europe would be in dan
ger in the event of war, unless
reinforced. whereas six could take
care of themselves, with sea and
air support.
/ If war comes, the general said,
he would rather be in a position
to fly American planes against the
enemy from North Africa, France
and Norway than from Florida,
Michigan and Massachusetts,.
1t has been made clear to the
other North Atlantic treaty ma
tions that the rate at which Amer
lean troops move to Europe will
depend on the effort the Euro
peans make in their own behalf.
/ Secretary Acheson testified the
other treaty nations are expected
to double their combat forces in
the next year.
! This brought from Senator
Wherry today the comment, Even
if they double their forces, what
have you got? How would it COM
pare with what Russia has?"
Senator Wherry expressed re-
sentiment at Senator Connallys
criticism of him for being out of
Washington making speeches
Thursday when the hearings
opened. Senator, Connally's re-
mark was made when another