Evening star., 1953-12-05
Admiral Rodford Speaks

A calm and authoritative voice on Ameri-
cas- role in today's troubled world affairs was
raised recently at West Point when Admiral
Radford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff,
made his first public address since taking the
Nations top military job. His words deserve
the most thoughtful attention not only from
Americans of whatever political or factional
conviction but from the leaders of those coun-
tries that are allied with us overseas and of
those that stand opposed to us.
For at time when controversy at home
and the subtly sinister maneuvering of our
Communist opponents abroad are threatening
to divide the free world, or at least to weaken
the bonds of mutual trust and confidence which
are essential to it, Admiral Radford has effec-
lively restated the nature of the Red menace
and of the guiding policies of collective
endeavor which must be maintained to COM
bat it.
Holding the advantage of being the agrees
sor in their idea of war;" the Soviets excel the
admiral warned, "at three-prong system of
operations: politico- o-economic military and
psychological propaganda" They have a stra-
tegic geographic position in control of the
Eurasian heartland, domination over a great
population and availability of enormous natural
resources. They are at least keeping pace in
the development of new weapons and they have
which has forced the free world "to spend lives
and resources without getting at the real cause
of the trouble and the true source of Commu-
mist power" And, perhaps most dangerous of
all, "the Soviet Union has no time limit for the
accomplishment of it's objectives Their goals
are so long range in concept that they can be
achieved at any time it is expedient." In the
face of these factors, Admiral Radford cau-
toned solemnly, there must be no "letdown in
the vigilance and energy of our efforts"
But there was special significance in what
the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a
professional military man, had to say about the
collective effort of the free nations our own
part in this effort and our attitude toward those
who are joined with us. For in emphasizing
that the NATO and the U. N. must be main
tanned and supported, Admiral Radford took
cognzance of the irritations which arise among
allies and the dangerous implications of our
attempting to be tough" in the manner so
recently advocated by Senator Mccarthy, and
wisely rejected by. President Eisenhower and
Secretary of State Dulles. This is what he said:
Relationships between members of coali-
tions never simple. The smaller nations
expect, and are entitled, to exercise their SOW
ereignty and independence. Our leadership
therefore involves sef-restraint rather
than the pressure techniques imposed by
LIle OOVleI OH SdIcIllCeS WACAOuI dAAeS,
the United States would not have real Sc
curity. The United States must conduct itself
in such manner that our allies can have
complete confidence that we will stand stead
fastly by their side. expecting them at the
same time to make sincere efforts to provide
for their common defense within their capa-
bilites
The parallel between these words and those
spoken in recent days by President Eisenhower
and Mr.. Dulles is true one. They are also
words which suggest full agreement between
those who have the responsibility for making
our foreign policy and those who direct the
military effort to support that policy. Senator
Mccarthy and those who share his willingness
to wreck the free alliance in order to achieve
their goals should take note.