Belief in the Continued Solidarity of Our Western Alliances

Abstract

Threat from militant Communism has not les sened since 1949 when it led to the North Atlantic Pact and, in turn, to the collective armed strength under SHAPE, NATO military agency. The collective strength of NATO consists of the spiritual force of the operation, the economic, and the organized military strength. The adoption of missiles does not cancel out massive retaliation. Due to the vast dispersal of Western retaliatory power and installation of additional missile launchers, a potential aggressor could not, even in a surprise at tack, count upon knocking out all Western launching sites and air bases. The earliest days of NATO were marked by a psy chology of despondency, lethargy, and cynicism—this situation greeted General Eisenhower and General Gruenther upon their arrival in Western Europe. In their pioneer task these difficul ties were overcome. There was a return of confidence, hope, and will to get on with the job of building up a collective armed strength. SHAPE's leadership is marked by dedication, under standing of NATO's people and a grasp of their problems, and determination to resolve them in the common purpose. Many of the problems confronting NATO nations are similar in vary ing degree since they all stem from the common threat of mili tant communism. Soviet pressure to ban tests and use of nu clear weapons and for the abandonment of our overseas bases are problems which concern both our allies and ourselves. A latest common problem is Soviet pressure for a summit confer ence on Soviet terms.