The Press WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1963. American Troops In Europe

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30275, 30 October 1963, Page 10

The Press WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1963. American Troops In Europe

The Western alliance relieved the threat of war in Europe, but as the old fears of military conquest recede on both sides of the Iron Curtain, new ideas on defence and national ambition cause doubts whether the alliance will be able to survive an era of peace. The alliance was formed when Europe was feeble and helpless. Today Europe is virile i and prosperous, and some i changes in the alliance seem inevitable. As disputes! occur over national interests, the control of nuclear weapons, the height of tariff walls, trade with Russia, and the balance of payments, the United States has been unable to conceal a growing irritation with some of its allies, whose security it has underwritten for so long. Particularly irritating is the assumption in Europe that the United States will continue to carry its present share of the defence burden while prosperous European countries devote less than half as much as the 11 per cent of American gross national product that goes into defence and foreign aid. It is scarcely surprising that the Secretary of State (Mr Rusk) should take the opportunity of a visit to Germany to remind his allies that in a genuine partnership. “ burdens must “ be equitably borne ”, Mr Rusk denied any present intention of withdrawing American troops from Europe, and particularly the six divisions in

Germany; but there is little! doubt that the recent American exercise, in which a division of 16,000 men was flown from Texas to Germany within three days, heralds a change in future American plans. The new policy is based on the idea of a minimum holding force in Germany, with British and West European troops, and speedy, large-scale reI inforcement by American ; troops moved from bases at home. The economic advantages to the United States in conserving expenditure abroad would be substantial. Partly because of fears! of European lethargy in l defence and partly because ; of the present period of poli-1 Itical instability in Europe, | President Kennedy is un-| likely to begin actual troop withdrawals at present, though the merits of the strategy are to be tested in I future exercises. But James Reston, writing in the “ New York Times ”, says growing domestic problems lof race. unemployment, housing, and transportation in America, plus increasing with a prosperous Europe for the export ! markets of the world, are bound one day to force a reappraisal. “ The only “ question is when the “ reappraisal will come and “ whether it will come under “ calm circumstances, as “ now, when it might be “ controlled, or under urgent “ and emotional circum- “ stances, when it could get “ out of hand ”, he comments.