Milford chronicle., 1952-04-11

country depends upon control of the
sea and control Of the air.
Whether war can be ended by
air power alone may be open to
question. but certainly sea and air
power can achieve a complete pro-
lection while other forces are being
developed to meet whatever goals
may seem to be desirable in a
third world war.
OF course, an army Of reasonable
size is absolutely essential. We must
have it for the defense Of the Ameri-
can continent and our island posses
sions. A land army is necessary for
the defense Of air bases, further de-
tense Of islands near the continental
shores, and for such occasional ex-
tensions Of action into Europe, Asia.
or Africa as promise success in
selected areas.
But 1t need not be anything like
as large an army as would be nec-
essary to begin tomorrow a land
war on the continent Of Europe or
the continent of Asia.
A ShoTtsiohted Policy
The fact that the Air Force has
deteriorated is DIS solely to the
shortsightedness Of this Administra-
ton and the Pentagon policy. which,
in substance. refused any increase
in Air Force unless corresponding
increases occurred in the Army and
Navy.
Until the Korean War the Presi-
dent still insisted on holding the Air
Force to 48 groups. The power of
the land generals was sufficient to
hold down the Air Force unless the
budget could provide a correspond
ing increase in land forces. Now the
increase is to be balanced by an
even larger increase in the land
forces.
Not only is an all-powerful air
force the best possible defense for
the United States, but it is also the
best deterrent to war. The Russians
are not going to be deferred by land
armies until such armies are built
up to a strong defensive force COM
pletely able to throw back armies Of
Russia and its satellites. and they
can always attack before that point
is reached. They know that the de-
struction Of their principal commu-
nications. bases, and industrial de-
velopments by atomic bombs may
make it infinitely more difficult for
them to succeed in any war.
Every consideration, therefore, of
American defense and also of the in
surance Of peace depends upon the
development of an air force more
efficient and more effective than
the world has ever seen.
A superiority in air and sea for
ces throughout the world car
achieve other purposes than mere
defense. It can protect all island
countries, Africa and South Ameri
ca. 1t can furnish effective assist
ance to all those nations which de
sire to maintain their freedom. OF
the continent. It can. achieve a bal
ance Of power under which more
peaceful relations throughout the
world can constantly be developed
Cont Abandon Others
While defense Of this country /:
our first consideration, / do moi
agree with those who think we car
completely abandon the rest of the
world and rely solely upon the de,
tense Of this continent. In fact,
the very thesis Of an effective con
troll Of sea and air by the free ma.
tons requires that we do interest
ourselves in Europe and the Nea1
East and North Africa and the FaI
East, so that Communist influence
may not exteId to areas from which
it Is stil possible to exclude 1t by
many methods other than lanc
armies.
II seems to me that our battle
against communism is in fact 4
worldwide battle and must bC
fought on the world stage. What
object to is undertaking to fight tha'
battle, in the first instance, pri
marily on the vast land areas o
the continent Of Europe or the con
tinent Of Asia, where we are at the
greatest possible disadvantage in 1
war with Russia.
The first principle Of militar!
strategy is not to fight on tn,
enemy's chosen battle-ground, whert
he has his greatest strength. w
could not have a better lesson thai
has been taught US in Korea.
It seems to me that by REASONABLE
alliance with Britain, Australia. an
Canada the control Of sea and al
can establish a power which neve
can be challenged by Russia an
which can to a great extent proteC
Europe, as it has been protected noV
for five years through fear Of whs
sea and air power can aeeomplis
against Russia.
Power Over VOst Areo
There is no need for a specifi
line Of defense in every section {
the world. but we can exercise
power for peace over q vast are'
If the Russians realize that our poy
er in the final outcome of war cal
not be challenged except on the col
tinent Of Eurasia, and perhaps n,
RUssidn Guns In China