Evening star., 1955-02-01
Gen. Ridgwoy's Testimony

FOLLOWING is the tert OF the
testimony before the House
Armed SerUices Committee in
Uhich Gen. Matthew B. Ridg-
1Uay, Army Chief OF staff, said
a planned Army cutback jeop-
ardises national security:
Representative Brooks, Demo-
crat, of Louisiana-General, you
see how deeply concerned the
committee is in reference to
cutting down the Army in a
crisis in which we have those
in charge of the destinies of Red
China threatening war on the
United States and we come out
and reduce our force by 100000
men. Does that affect the safety
of the country?
Gen. Ridgway-I think 1t does,
sir.
Mr.. Brooks-Now General
The Chairman Representa-
tive Vinson, Democrat, of Geor-
gia You say you think it does?
Gen. Ridgway-I do, sir.
The Chairman-Now wait one
minute, Mr.. Brooks
Mr.. BrookS-Are we taking a
chance in reducing our commit
ments or taking a chance in
losing our position in the Far
East by reducing the size of our
Army at this critical time?
Explains Role.
Gen. Ridgway-Mr. Brooks,
you have several questions in
there. / will do my best to
answer them each separately.
Of course, sir. the Army has
little part in the formulating of
commitments. Commitments de-
rive from statements of national
policy and from treaty obliga-
tions undertaken.
Mr.. Brooks-I think that Is
true, but I think that everybody
on this committee has complete
confidence in your integrity and
your ability and your patriotism
and would like to have a forth
right answer from you.
Gen. Ridgway-I shall have
one. sir.
The Chairman-May I say to
Mr.. Brooks that I think we are
practically finished with the
Secretary. Let's open up with
Gen. Ridgway now and get to the
point that Mr.. Brooks has raised.
If we don't, Mr. Brooks will be
recognized to ask you again.
Mr.. Brooks-Let him answer
my question. will you, Mr.. Chair
man.
The Chairman-1 thought
go ahead.
Mr.. Brooks-Do you want a
prepared statement, rather than
answer it?
The Chairman-No. Go ahead
and answer the question, Gen.
eral.
Gen. Ridgway-I am a little
confused as to just exactly what
the last question. sir. was.
Mr.. Brooks-The last question
was, should we reduce the size
of our Army by 100000 men at
this particular critical time in
our international affairs and will
we jeopardize our position in the
Far East or will we jeopardize
the safety of this country?
Opposes Reduction.
Gen. Ridgway-I think we
should not reduce it. I think we
do jeopardize the security to a
degree.
Mr.. Brooks-And. Of course,
you are opposing the reduction
of the Army by 100000 men. I
agree with you, will say that.
Gen. Ridgway-May I say this,
sir: 1t isn't to me or to any other
officer in uniform to oppose a
decision by the constituted au-
thorities of our Government.
stand on but one position, sir
Whatever the decisions, the
Army will execute them to the
utmost of its capacity, with un-
swerving loyalty with the means
assigned to it.
The Army will state forth
rightly when it thinks that the
means allotted to it are insult
f1cient for execution of the mis-
sions assigned.
Mr.. Brooks-Well, / know you
are great soldier there. But if
we take 100000 men away from
the Army, there is a reduction oy
four divisions as the chairman
said. isn't that true?
Gen. Ridgway-I don't think
the four divisions is quite &C
curate. sir. 1t is a substantial
reduction which will be trans
lated into terms
Mr.. Brooks-Now, will we have
enough manpower in the Far
East, then. to back up our COM
mitments at that point in this
world2
Reassignment of Troops.
Gen. Ridgway-We are going
to have to make q major re-
assignment. reallocation OF
forces, Mr.. Brooks. worldwide
It will not just affect the Far
EastA And it is difficult to PIN