Evening star., 1951-02-25
Stronger West
Slows Red Plans,
Walsh Asserts
Soviets Heed Moves
To Defend Europe,
Priest Tells Bnnkers
By Donald B. HodIey

Ny 1Ou0tQ W. tto0tSy
The re-arming of the West, the
growing spirit of confidence in
Western Europe and the decline
Of Communist strength in Italy
and France may have Influenced
the Russian Politboro to delay
plans for an attack on the free
nations. DR.. Edmund A. Walsh.
s. j., vice president of George
town University, said last night.
In an address before 1850 mem
bers and guests at the annual
banquet of Washington Chapter
of the American Institute Of
Banking, Father Walsh quoted
both Lerin and Stain on the
Communist belief in the inevita-
bility of a death-struggle with
nom Communist nations.
Refers to Stain Talk.
Referring to Stalin's Pravda
interview of February Is, Father
Walsh commented: His insist
ence on the peace policy of the
Soviet Union and his assurance
that war is not inevitable at this
time are familiar stereotypes
which, however, may be motivated
by a feeling of special urgency.
A zigzag. even though verbal, may
have been deemed prudent.
THE patent improvement in
the resisting power of Europe and
the clear implications of Gen.
Eisenhower's appointment as su-
preme commander there have not
escaped the Politburo. If no major
and direct move is made against
the United States, it will mean
that the men in the Kremlin have
chosen the slow, bleeding process
as the more advisable tactics"
Father Walsh declared.
costs will mount for us as re-
armament increases, as more and
more men are called to nonpro-
ductive military activities, and as
the internal economy becomes pro-
gressively limited in respect to
goods for civilian consumption"
he added Price controls. ration
ing, black markets and the Gov
eminent crackdowns will tend to
create internal tensions.
Labor leaders will oppose freez-
ing of wages. Strikes. if not OUT
lawed. will create new confusion
and possibly violence at crucial
moments. If they are outlawed
under emergency legislation. the
hue and cry will be raised that
America is losing at home the
very liberties for which she pre-
tends to be battling abroad.
"All conjecture, however, re-
specting the improbability Of a
direct armed conflict between the
United States and Russia could
be- wholly nullified by an unfore-
seen opportunity arising from a
sudden shift in the balance Of
power, from some inviting crisis
in a nearby state not too remote
from Moscow, or some other
plausible circumstance of a ma
ture to induce the Politboro to
launch its greatest gamble. Deci-
sion could be accelerated by des-
tperation.
Timing is extremely important.
The Soviet high command knows
what winter means. hence, early
summer, and early autumn are
times for special vigilance by In
telligeDce. and Security Agencies.
The Politboro lost it's best chance
in the years of the Great Demobi-
lization of the West, 1945-1950."
Father Walsh was introduced by
Samuel c. Redman, jr., president
of the chapter and assistant vice
president of the Lincoln National
Bank.
Presentations Made.
Mr.. Redman presented a reso-
luton from the chapter to Presi-
dent Hubert T. Bisselle of the
District Bankers Association in
appreciation of the chapters spa
cious new quarters provided in the
associations building on N street
NV. Mr.. Redman also presented
watch to Stephen o. Porter, as
sistant cashier of the Riggs Ma
tional Bank and immediate past
president of the chapter.
Alton P. Barr, national vice
president of the ALB. brought
greetings from the national organ.
ization. The invocation was de-
livered by the Rev. Bernard Bras
kamp, DID,. pastor of the Gunton-
Temple Memorial Presbyterian
Church and Chaplain of the
House of Representatives.
Among the distinguished guests
were: Edward H. Foley, jr., Under
secretary of the Treasury; Pres
ton Delano. Comptroller of the
Currency: Maple T. Harl, chair
man of the Federal Deposit Insur-
ance Corp; Thomas j. Lynch.
general counsel of the Treasury;
John Reilly, chairman of the
Washington Clearing House Asso-
clation and president of the Sec
ond National Bank and Ralph
Endicott, dean of the Washington
chapters faculty and vice presi-
dent of the Washington Loan g.
Trust Co.