U.S. DEFENCE POLICY

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27224, 16 December 1953, Page 11

U.S. DEFENCE POLICY

‘New Look’ Plan Outlined

(N.Z. Press Association—Covvriaht) (Rec. 11 p.m.)

. WASHINGTON, Dec. 14. Admiral Arthur Radford said today that a “new look” defence plan for the United States would emphasise America s invincible air power and atomic weapons while reducing the total number of men under arms. Admiral Radford, who is chairman of the Joint Chiefs of .Staff, outlined a four-year military plan in an address before the National Press Club. He said each military service was now capable of putting atomic weapons into military use and that atomic weapons had virtually achieved conventional status within the armed forces.

Admiral Radford said: “The concept of the new look is the development of an armed posture which can be supported year in and yea r out on a long-term basis, not just one year, but for 10 years or even 20 years if necessary.” i

As a starter, the Joint Chiefs of Staff had picked a period “through the fiscal year, 1957.” Last week they had submitted a programme for the military forces through this period which would provide for the security of the United States and the obligations of collective security with the United States allies in Europe and the Far East.

Admiral Radford said these forces would provide “the basis for winning a war—an all-out war or a limited war—if war is forced upon us.”