STRENGTH OF U.S. FORCES

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27569, 28 January 1955, Page 12

STRENGTH OF U.S. FORCES

No Changes Planned

“Short Of War” (N.Z. Press Association-Copyright) WASHINGTON, January 26. The Secretary of Defence (Mr Charles Wilson) told the United States Congress today that he saw no need for any “important changes” in the United States armed forces “short of war.” Mr Wilson, appearing before the House Armed Services Committee to report on American military strength, made no mention in his prepared remarks of the rriounting tension over the Communist Chinese, threats to Formosa. Mr Wilson said the United States must be prepared, in line with its collective security responsibilities, to come rapidly and effectively to the assistance of the United Nations in the event of aggression short of general war. He said he did not expect the Soviet Union to take actyan during the next few years that would deliberately precipitate another world conflict. But Communist aims were Unchanged, he added, and a conflict might arise through miscalculation on their part. “I cannot^ at time,” he said, “foresee any important reduction in the military establishment nor in the total annual military expenditures of the Department of Defence below the present levels. Nor do I see any need for any important increases short of war.”

“Improved State of Readiness” Mr Wilson discussed in general the Administration’s programmes which, he said, would put the armed forces in a “qualitatively .improved state of readiness for an iridefinite period of time.” He said continental defence and “effective retaliatory power” had been given high priority. Next year’s programme, he said, put particular emphasis on the utilisation of nuclear energy in military operations and in the development of operational guided missiles to meet the urgent requirements of United States air defence and retaliatory forces. The continental defence programme. Mr Wilson said, was being pushed with all practical speed. He predicted the early development of improved radar, piloted and pilotless planes of all ranges, and better anti-submarine devices.