Evening star., 1952-01-10
As the Enemy Builds Up Strength
World Situation Increasingly Bod Truman Points Out;
Churchill Points Gloomy Picture on Russian Moves
Constantine Brown:

The pessimistic tone of Presi-
dent Truman's message to Con-
gress-in which he asked for a
political armistice during this
election year when the shadow
Of a war hangs heavily on the
free nations-may have been
prompted by electoral consider
ations. But unfortunately the
world situation is bad. Despite
previous reassuring statements
from the administration and
some foreign political leaders,
Moscow holds fully the political
and military initiative. partic-
ularly In Asia. The prediction
Of some "pessimists" that 1852
may be the year Of decision are
not far of the mark.
While the official communique
Of the Truman Churchill con-
versations is as vague as all
similar communications when
heads Of state meet to talk over
important situations, enough has
leaked" from official circles to
permit the speculation that Mr..
Churchill painted a convincingly
gloomy picture of the world
today. The contention of the
British Prime Minister was that
only a much closer cooperation
between the two English-speak-
ing nations might guarantee
successful opposition to Red
drives in Asia and eventually in
Europe. This contention is said
to have been received SYM
pathetically by the White House.
The European picture is now
greatly obscured by the new po-
litical crisis in France, where
the Pleven ministry has been
overthrown and no political
leader seems able to obtain the
assurance of the many political
parties in the Assembly to form
a lasting cabinet. The rapid
changes of government in
France have been in the past
a subject of amusement to out
siders. This time they are
tragic. The time element for the
organization of the NATO forces
is Of extreme Importance. We
have already lost too much time
planning and blueprinting with
out moving fast enough toward
the goal Of creating a force
capable of instantly resisting
the Russians. The naked truth
is that with the exception Of the
additional four American di-
visions which have been sent
to Germany and one additional
combat-ready British division,
the other members of the coali-
ton have produced little tan
gible for the defense Of Europe.
The fact that France will not
have a responsible government
for at least another month in
creases our disadvantage visa
Wis Russia. Not only does this
mean that the French VIII have
to mark time as far as their
own rearmament program Is
concerned, but the ministerial
crisis will further delay the
chances Of bringing Western
Germany into the coalition.
Both the United States and
Britain are anxious to add the
Germans to our meager forces.
But the most ominous situa-
tion exists In the Far East, an
area which Mr.. Truman, MIR.
Churchill and their top military
and political advisers have can
vassed carefully and at length.
Admittedly, if the Hammer and
Sickle is allowed to fly over
Saigon and Singapore the free
world would lose more than so
per cent Of its present resist
ance power. The French have
suffered nearly 100000 casual
ties-including some of their
best young men-and have
spent close to So billion in the
six-year struggle against the
Communist guerrillas. They ad-
NIT frankly that If Chinese
Communist volunteers" were to
participate in the drive which