Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-01-06
Time for a Bio Effort

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In its sornber report on our country's
military position vis-a-vis the Soviet
Union, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund
makes number Of far-reaching recon-
mendations. Some Of these seem self
evidently compounded OF common sense.
But others-though not out Of keeping
with the extraordinary complexities and
immense dangers Of our time--have Inn
plications of sort that are bound to
stir up deep misgivings and hot debate.
One such recommendation Is that
which calls for a drastic ."unifying" re-
organization OF the Joint Chiefs OF stan
and our entire defense establishment.
And another is the proposal under which
the United States would hand over to Its
NATO allies-with complete control left
to them-nuclear weapons and ballistic
missiles that would make free Europe
less dependent on American and Brit
ish strategic airpower. Clearly, mere
glance at ideas Of this type Is enough to
indicate why they are bound to meet
with stiff resistance In Congress and
elsewhere, at home and abroad.
Nevertheless, regardless OF the wis
dom or unwisdom Of some Of its pro-
posals. the Funds report is unquestion-
ably right In declaring that our country
and the free world ct large "are In great
peril and that tremendous efforts-ef-
forts unprecedented In our history-will
have to be undertaken II we are to sur
mount that peril. For what we must
reckon with Is the dark threat--real,
present. and enormous in way that can
hardly be exaggerated-of q persistent
Soviet-led Communist thrust TO achieve
world domination by exploiting all dis
satisfactions magnifying all tensions,
and following other courses OF action
that could reach q point Of no return
and explode into nuclear war capable
Of destroying the whole Of humanity.
How well are we equipped to cope
with this unparalleled menace? Accord
ing to the distinguished Americans re-
sponsible for the Funds report. here is
the answer: For perhaps the next two
years. we still possess a superiority in
strategic striking power. But our
position year or two hence depends on
decisions which must be taken imme-
diately. Unless present trends are re-
versed. the world balance of power viii
shift In favor Of the Soviet bloc. II that
should happen we are not likely to be
given another chance to remedy our
failings. However, It Is emphatically
not too late II we are prepared to. make
the big effort required now and In the
years ahead" And "the big effort" must
be truly big n It Is to guarantee our
survival
Thus. wholly apart from It's numer-
Gus other proposals, the Funds report
holds that our defense establishment.
II 1t Is to be as potent - the age de-
mands. probably viii require additional
and cumulative OUTLAWS Of about 50 biz
lion year, over and above the present
level Of $50 billion, between now and
1855. These are figures that envision
massive American military buildup Of
the most advanced kind. The Rockefel-
Ter study. while favoring . continued
effort at negotiation, justifies them with
the following warning: SHOULD we ever
allow the USSR and Communist China
to attain strategic superiority, We can
be certain that subsequent events win
be brutal and unforgiving. The will
ingneSs and ability to resist aggression
is the best guarantee for peace. Until
there occurs a change in Soviet atti-
tudes, everything depends on the stead
.fastness Of the United States and other
free nations"
In sum, even as we strive by all rea-
sonable means to negotiate trustworthy
agreements with the Kremlin, we must
arm ourselves with as much power as
these crucial times require. For 1t is q
fact, as the Funds report declares, that
power, although not enough In itself to
meet the challenge Of the future. offers
at least "the prospect that there iUtH be
a future"-a future in which men and
nations everywhere may learn to live
together in q decent and enduring
peace.