The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1952-06-03
Air Power
Dominant
Says Ike"

consistently cOHteuueu that dic
dominant factor in any future war
will be air power. At the same
time, he said he wished anyone
who believes the foot soldier can
be eliminated would "show me how
to do it."
Eisenhower, holding a news con.
ference at the Pentagon. was asked
about last Sundays statement by
Sen. Robert A. Taft that there has
been a steady deterioration of us.
air power which began while the
general was chief of staff.
Eisenhower said he was ready
to comment ION the record"
There was man named Billy
Mitchell he recalled, who agi-
tated after World War ! for a sepa-
rate Air Force.
Eisenhower added that he him
self instantly started" after World
War ii to cooperate In divorcing
air power from the ground forces.
Gen. Carl A. Spaatz, retired Air
Force leader, was my companion
and associate and 81 stood with
him on 10 (Air Force) groups"
Eisenhower continued, adding that
I'VE were whitfield down"
Then he declared that the domi-
nant power in any future war sis
going to be air power"
At the same time, he added:
anyone who finds out that the
foot soldier can be finally ehmi-
mated from war, I wish he would
show me how to do it."
Eisenhower's comments were
sharply pointed up by the fact he
and Taft are the front-running can
didates for the Republican presi-
dental nomination.
Besides alleging d deterioration
of U. S. air power. Taft in Sun
days radio speech hit at what he
called ''the fallacies of our land
generals"
He said one of these is that ga
war against Russia can only be
won on the continent of Europe
with bayonetS.'
Eisenhower also told the news
conference this country must have
assurances it never will be cut off
from the resources and friends it
has in other parts of the world.
Eisenhower said, too, that ''Ko-
rea and Indochina have as i'm
portant implications as any other
sector of the world"
And he warned of a continuing
danger of "subversion. bribery and
stealing" of free countries by the
Communists such as occurred in
the case of Czechoslovakia.
Just freed from his assignment
as supreme commander Of Western
defense forces in Europe, Eisen-
hover said Europe has special fac
tors of importance for the United
States.
IF Europe fell into the Commu-
mist orbit we would be very badly
placed" the general said.
He said the same situation would
hold should the Communists con-
quer or subvert other areas of the
world with which Western Europe
has social. economic and political
connections.
Eisenhower met with about 100
newsmen at the Pentagon a short
time before retiring-at his own
request-without pay from the
army he has served 81 years.
Retirement left him free 10 cam
paign actively, If he wished, for
the presidential nomination.
He is leaving before nightfall for
his home town OF Abilene, Kan,
and his first speech as a civilian
since his name was entered in the
COP nomination contest.
Eisenhower had hoped TO keep
his return to Abilene "A Kansas
affair" But at least SC, 900 Of his
admirers from all parts OF the
country are expected TO flock to
the little town of $500 population
for big welcome.
President Truman didn't let the
general get out Of town without q
word Of praise for the job he did
in building up Western Europe's
defenSes.
In White House ceremony Mon
day. Mr., Truman pinned a fourth
Oak Leaf Cluster on the generals
Distinguished Service Medal. He
called Eisenhower job in Europe
"a monumental achievement with
out historical peace-tirne prece-
dent.
Eisenhower tod the President he
was deeply touched and honored.
Then he glanced a. Mrs. Essen
hover ard said: Il listened in vain
for one name that Should have
been iEclnted--tAat q my wife /"
Mr.. Truman said with . smile:
II agree with YOU and III insert
II Il yea say SO
TIE general vii I'D farewell 70
Washington Late today (abos1t S ..
IN. EST and fiy 10 Kansas 9th.