Evening star., 1954-04-16
Ridgway Indicates
Doubts on Reduction
OF Army Manpower
By John A. Giles


The reputation of President
Eisenhower as a military man
has been injected into the argu-
ment on Capitol Hill on his
budget calling for a II per cent
slash in Army manpower.
1t came during closed hearings
before a House Appropriations
subcommittee, which were re-
leased today.
Gen. Matthew B. Ridgway.
Army Chief of Staff, made a
point of the fact that the budget
laying greater stress on hydro
gen-atomic weapons and air
power-was a result of decisions
"at higher level"
Representative Scrivener, Re-
publican, Of Kansas, demanded
an explanation.
Gen. Ridgway finally said the
National Security Council made
the decision.
"And what is higher than the
Council?" asked Mr.. Scrivner
1.-THE Commander. in Chief"
the general replied.
From what have been read
ing in recent days, weeks,
months and even years, the
Commander in Chief has a repu-
tation of being a pretty good
military man." said the House
member.
Indeed he has," said the gen.
eral.
THAT is for sure" commented
Secretary of the Army tSevens.
Ridgway Agrees.
"I wanted to be sure we all
understood, because it does make
q difference" said Mr.. Scrivner.
II do not think we have to worry
about him selling us and the
country and the Army-since
he is an old Army man-very
short, do you?"
mo. sir" replied Gen. Ridg-
way.
Nevertheless, the two top Army
officials did manage to give some
tongue-in- cheek opposition to
the Eisenhower proposals.
Gen. Ridgway predicted the
massive retaliation policy, as
originally outlined. would raise
serious apprehensions" among
this country's European allies.
Representative Mahon, Demo-
crat, of Texas, asked about pub
lished reports concerning Secre-
tary of State Dulles views on the
subject. He read a news column
stating Mr.. Dulles proposed ag-
gression be met by instant re-
taliation directed not at the
periphery but the centers OF
Communist power" He WON
dered "if it would not be bad for
our country for this sort OF un-
derstanding to become fixed in
the minds of the people abroad"
Denies Criticism.
Gen. Ridgway replied:
"Well, sir, I hope that my per-
sonal view. which, of course. !
give in response to your ques-
tion, will not be in the slightest
degree considered as criticism of
q statement by one of our con-
stitutional authorities.
''I think it will raise serious
apprehensions in the minds of
many segments of foreign popu-
lations, notably those of the
western world presently allied
with U.S."
Mr.. Dulles has explained that
this country had no intention
of depending solely on its ca
pacity for massive atomic at
tack to fend off aggression He
said each case would be dealt
with separately in the most ap-
propriate manner. making full
use of local defense forces
Representative Ford. Republi-
can, of Michigan. asked about
the withdrawal of two divisions
from Korea. He told Gen. Ridg-
way that Secretary of Defense
Wilson earlier had told the SUBJ
committee that he did not con-
slider the withdrawal an indica-
ton of weaknesses. He asked for
comment.
Il would find it a little diff
cult to be precise" he replied.
''I would like to know more of
Mr.. Wilson'S background think
ing with regard to the Korea
area. but it is hard to see how
Korea itself would be any
stronger with two divisions less"
Korean Increase.
Mr.. Ford said Mr.. Wilson was
thinking of the increase in South
Korean forces to 20 divisions and
providing greater, worldwide
mobility for United States forces.
I'VE discussed the question of
mobility yesterday" the general
then said. eff you just put to me
the categorical question: Does the
withdrawal of two divisions
from the 9th Army in Korea
strengthen or weaken the 9th
Army? there can be one answer
and that is the 9th Army has
less combat strength than it had
before"
The general also said:
/. Despite atomic-hydrogen
weapons advances here. the bal
ance of military power between
Russia and the free world 'is
not changing to our advantage. +"
2. He thinks the chances of an
immediate world war have les
Sened in the last IL months but
there is no reason to hope the
Soviets have altered their goal
of world domination.
3. Today's weapons give an
Army division "a per cent more