Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-10-29
INDIA
INDIA
U.S.. Assures Arms
To Battle Red China

To Bottle
Continued From Page Al
are now being discussed with
In dian military men, the
spokesman said.
May Arrive in Week
Mr.. Nehru and Mr.. Galbraith
did not discuss details of how
quickly American weapons
could be put in the hands Of
Indian troops facing the Chi
.nese, the spokesman said. But
reliable sources said American
planes might begin landing in
India by the end Of this week
carrying infantry weapons.
Washington reports said that
some United States Army small
arms and ammunition stocked
in Thailand will be tapped to
insure rapid delivery. Two
Indian defense officials are in
washington and are expected
to negotiate for American
weapons and arrange the de-
tails of the purchase.
The army particularly needs
rapid-firing automatic weap-
ons. The Chinese have beer
using the same technique they
developed against the Ameri'
can army in Korea, throwing
waves of troops with fast-firinl
weapons against defensive pc
sitions. Only rapid fire in re
turn can drive off such al
assault.
The Indian army at present
is armed mostly with World
War II rifles that shoot toe
slowly.
Informed sources said the
Indian Army would not need
American instructors for such
infantry weapons. But should
heavier equipment follow-and
it has not been discussed so
far-United States personnel
might be needed as teachers
in rear areas.
Could Bring Up Tanks
If the line at Sc Pass does
not hold, the next stand for
the beleaguered Indians proba-
bly, would be at Bomdila, last
important pass on the way to
the Assam Plains.
A fair road connects Bomdila
with the plains, enabling the
Indian Army to bring light
tanks up and overcome a sup
ply weakness partly responsible
for some of the steady reverses
of the nine -day-old border war.
Hard fighting also was in
dicated on the Ladakh front,
some $50 miles westward along
the jagged Himalayan frontier.
The Indians said one post was
lost there when the Chinese
opened an attack around Dem
chok in overwhelming numbers
and with rapid-firing weapons.
The battle-ground there is
nearly 3 miles high. Demchok
is close to the underlined border
of Kashmir, and the attack
constitutes the farthest south
ward Chinese thrust in the
Western sector.
New Weapons From Britain
Defense Minister v. K
Krishna Menon said today a
fresh supply Of weapons has
been received since the fight
ing erupted October 20. He did
not disclose the source. but it
was believed he referred to a
supply of automatic rifles
mortars and ammunition which
Britain rushed by plane. This
arrived today. Mr.. Menon also
said more weapons are COM
ing.
Mr.. Nehru has pushed Mr.
Menon aside following the
crushing Chinese advance and
is directing the main effort
himself. But Mr.. Nehru has
not agreed to demands within
the ruling Congress Party and
elsewhere in the country for
the resignation of his contro-
versial closest associate who a
year ago blocked efforts by top
generals to turn to the United
States for weapons.
Mr.. Menon today attended a
meeting of the executive COM
.mittee of the Congress Party
by invitation of the members.
Reviewing the military posi-
ton, he said the Chinese have
now lost the advantage of sur
prise and that India is making
full preparations to fight the
invaders.
No Diplomatic Break
Mr.. Nehru-Also present -
told the committee steps are
being taken to protect lines OF
communications inside India to
insure that troops and supplies
can be rushed to the battle
fronts. A committee spokesman