Evening star., 1953-10-28

Cerday.
They spoke up to quell what
Mr. Dulles called "quite a spate
of rumors" to the effect that
this Government was contem-
plating pulling some of its troops
out of Western Europe.
These reports. arising from
Mr.. Wilson's talk last week about
such reductions being possible
''in the long rum" had created
an especially disturbing situation
In France.
French Fears Stirred.
They apparently had stirred
fears among the French that
some American troops might be
pulling out of Western Europe
soon. The effect was to increase
already substantial opposition in
France to ratification of the EDO
treaties.
Under the EDO project, Ger
man troops would be integrated
with those of France, Italy,
Belgium, the Netherlands and
Luxembourg into a unified West
ern European defense force.
French reluctance to ratify the
project arises mainly from fears
that the European Army would
be dominated by Germany.
The presence in Europe of the
equivalent of six United States
divisions now there is a balanc-
ing factor to fears of the growth
of German military might in
French minds. So the reports
that American troops might be
withdrawn serve to intensity
French reluctance to pave the
way of arming of German units.
1t is generally recognized that
American forces probably will
not stay in Western Europe for
ever, and nothing said by Mr..
Dulles OF Mr.. Wilson yesterday
could be taken as a promise that
they will not be withdrawn some
time in the future when Western
Europe'S own defense strength is
built up.
Dulles Stresses Stand.
Mr.. Dulles went so far as to
authorize direct quotation of his
remarks on the subject yesterday
to give emphasis of his aSsur-
ances. He was asked whether
there was any substance to re-
cent reports that the United
States might withdraw some of
It's troops from Europe and
whether this represented any
change in American foreign
policy:
He replied:
There is no change WhatSo-
ever in that respect, and there is
no contemplated withdrawal of
the United States forces from
Europe. I have said that in sub
stance before. I am very glad to
reiterate it, because there seems
to be quite a spate of rumorS
to the effect that we are con-
templating a withdrawal of our
troops. There is no such with
draWal in contemplation" l."
Mr.. Wilson, at his news con-
ference later in the day, empha-
sized a distinction between i'm
mediate and long-range plan
ming.
The Defense Secretary said
there are no immediate" plans
for taking American troops out
of Europe.
He remarked that he is used
to trying to look ahead and that
the time may come in the future
when American troops could be
withdrawn.
Long Run Reduction.
Mr.. Wilson recalled that he
had said last week that in the
long run" it should be possible
to reduce American armed
strength in Europe due to tech
nological advances and changes
of strategy
He remarked that no particu-
lar number of Air Force wings
or of infantry soldiers would
necessarily be the right thing
forever.
The Defense Secretary assured
reporters there were no differ
ences between what he and Sec
retary Dulles we're saying on the
subject,
In the background is the hope
OF American defense planners
that development of tactical
atomic weapons and the strength
ening of Europe's own defense
forces through addition of Ger
man units will eventually make
it unnecessary to keep American
forces stationed in Europe. But
they do not see this situation
coming about for several years.
Hence Gen. Eisenhower, Mr.
Dulles and Mr.. Wilson were able
to give their assurances that no
withdrawal is being contem-
1o1ated nOu in pO0d conscience