Russian Forces Could Over-run Europe At Any Time

Wanganui Chronicle, 21 August 1950, Page 5

Russian Forces Could Over-run Europe At Any Time

U.S. State Department Adviser's Warning; Western Forces Must Be Committed

NEW YORK, Aug. 19 (Heed. 6.50 p.m.)—The United Stales and Britain must commit equipment urgently to defend Western Europe, Mr. John Sherman Cooper, one of the State Department’s chief advisers, declared tonight.

He accused Russia of resorting to direct military action in Korea, lie said that this placed other areas of the world in great peril. Mr. Copper, in a speech, warned: “Under present conditions .Soviet forces could overrun Europe at any time.” Russia, he said, had possibly 175 divisions under arms, and the Western countries had a combination of American, British, French, Dutch and Belgian troops amounting to little more :'ian .12 divisions. “The danger implicit in this disparity in arms is appalling," said Mr. Cooper. I

There were three urgent essentials for Europe’s defence: — (1) Immediate completion and ap proval by the 12 Atlantic Trepty nations of a defence plan specifying precisely each country’s military . tasks and .m’ssions. (2) The creation of a unified military command. (3) United States action to make clear that “it will join in the defence ■ of Europe In the initial stages of an • assault, should it come.” . Mr. Cooper added: This means the United States and Britain must com- ■ mit men and equipment before such . an assault begins, either in an occuI pied zone or elsewhere in Europe."