WEST GERMANY TO BUY U.S. ARMS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29657, 30 October 1961, Page 13

WEST GERMANY TO BUY U.S. ARMS

600 Million Dollar Deal After Bonn Talks (NX Press Association—Copyright) NEW YORK, October 29. . y e . s A P e, roapy had agreed to buy United States military equipment, supplies and facilities in Europe for about 600 million dollars, the “New York Times” reported today. A. London dispatch from Drew Middleton said that news of the agreement was learned from reliable sources in London. He said the agreement was regarded by Government officials in London as “the most important result” of a visit by the United States Deputy Secretary of Defence (Mr Roswell Gilpatric) to the three leading military allies of the United States—Britain, France and West Germany.

The dispatch said: “Mr Gilpatric also made headway in convincing the British Government that it was time to do more about strengthening its military position in Europe." Middleton quoted “authoritative sources" for a report that proposals for strengthening the British military reserve would be announced in the House of Commons this week. "It was understood that Mr Gilpatric also made some progress toward selling the Administration's concept of conventional arms reinforcement in Europe as a deterrent to a “brush fire' war that might grow into a nuclear holocaust. “The British view is that nuclear war will start very soon after the first shots are fired," Middleton said. He went cm: “British proposals, however, deal with long-term projects for strengthening the British Army of the Rhine in Germany. In this field, the Cabinet is considering the transfer to Germany of units now stationed in such bases as Malta, Singapore, Aden and Gibraltar. “The United States mission did not believe that any final decision had been taken by the British Government. “Emphasis in the Government's proposals will be upon increased flexibility of measures necessary to reinforce the Rhine Army, both in the form of direct transfer of troops and also in the

strengthening of an immediately available strategic army reserve in Britain,” the “New York Times” correspondent said. “Narrow Boundary” In Troy, New York, last night, the newspaper publisher, William Randolph Hearst, said in a speech: "We may draw near the narrow boundary between peace and nuclear war” before a showdown came on Berlin.

United States survival, Mr Hearst said, might hinge on “our response” to historic events of the next six months. United Press International reported. “Before the year is out, the will and determination of the American people will be tested as it has not been tested since the early days of the war, just before Pearl Harbour,” he warned the annual convention of the national honorary collegiate journalism society, Di Pelta Epsilon. Mr Hearst and President Kennedy’s Press Secretary (Mr Pierre Salinger) were awarded medals of merit by the society.

Comparing the present time with 1939, before World War 11, Mr Hearst said that “if we appease our way out of the crisis, the world will recognise that we have backed down in the face of Communist pressure. “The United States is rapidly nearing the time when we must say ‘thus far and no further’,” he said.

In London, Sunday newspapers said today that Britain has decided to strengthen its England-based strategic reserve so it will be available for immediate reinforcement of the Army of the Rhine. It is thought that troops may be withdrawn from Hong Kong and Aden, and that legislation will be introduced enabling a speedier call-up of reservists in an emergency. Newspapers predicted that a statement on the plans would be made by the Defence Minister (Mr Watkinson) to the House of Commons this week. The move follows the talks Mr Watkinson is understood to have had last week with Mr Gilpatric. But Mr Gilpatric is still dissatisfied, according to the newspapers. The “Sunday Express” believes that the strategic reserve will be strengthened by two brigade groups, each including an armoured regiment, and involving about 6000 men.

There is no speculation on the form the plans for callup of reservists are likely to take.

At present the powers of the War Secretary are limited to the calling up for overseas service, without proclamation, of two classes—the Army Emergency Reserve, and the Regular Army Reserve.

Under existing legislation, a ceiling of 15,000 is placed on the A.E.R. category 1, and of 30,000 for section A of the Regular Army Reserve.