U.S. BASES FOR MISSILES

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28491, 22 January 1958, Page 11

U.S. BASES FOR MISSILES

Plans For Location In Far East (N.2. Press Association-Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) WASHINGTON, January 20. The United States was considering the stationing of intermediate range ballistic missile bases in the Far East, Mr Neil McElroy, the Secretary of Defence, disclosed in testimony released by a Congressional group today. Mr McElroy, testifying to a private meeting of an Appropriations Sub-Committee of the House of Representatives on January 8, gave ntf further details. Any missiles sent to the Far East would not come from the first two squadrons to be created this year, he said. Asked by Mr Daniel Flood (Democrat, Pennsylvania) why the missiles should not be sent to the Far East now to protect United States troops in Korea, Mr McElroy replied: “If you mean we are considering locations in the Far East for IJt.B.M.’s, we are.”

Pressed to say that the missiles should go at an earlier date, the Defence Secretary said: “That is something for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. That is not simply for my judgment." "That makes me unhappy,” said Mr Flood.

"... Sitting in Korea are the Ist Cavalry Division and the 7th Infantry Division—American Bitting ducks. “Now, you are at Paris with all the N.A.T.O. people, and you are taking care of the Turks, the British, and anybody else. ... “The troops in Korea are going to get clobbered.” Mr Flood said he preferred Mr McElroy and not the Joint Chiefs of Staff to make the decision about ballistic missiles in the Far East because “it is the most dangerous situation we have.” .

“I pray to God it does not blow up in our faces.” he said. “It is awful.”