ance of some $60,000,000 I believe, and has a mission over here, endeavoring to purchase Maritime Commission ships and to obtain from the Navy authority to transfer these ships. Would you say that that problem might arise in connection with the transfer of ships under this program? Secretary FORRESTAL. I think, Mr. Lodge, that those ships of which you speak are not the property of the Navy unless they happen to be war vessels. I think the only place we come in in relation to the Maritime Commission is on the basis of consultation, in terms of the requirement by Congress that the Secretary of the Navy shall be consulted as to the exact impact upon national security of the sale of such vessels. Mr. LODGE. You would have the right to withhold your consent, and the transfer could not then be made even though these ships were properly the property of the Maritime Commission, is that right? Secretary FORRESTAL. If the Navy Department were to withhold its approval, I think it would be an effective block on such transfers. Mr. LODGE. Then do you believe, Mr. Secretary, that it would be advisable for us to write in this legislation some provisions covering this matter in view of the fact that these vessels, though not naval vessels, would form a component part of the entire naval defense picture? Secretary FORRESTAL. I would like to think a little bit about that. Again it seems to be a sensible suggestion, but if I might, I would like to think about it. Mr. LODGE. I have just one more question and if there is any embarrassment to you, please do not answer: I was wondering if you thought it would be feasible to give this committee the number and classes of naval vessels which might be involved in this program. Secretary FORRESTAL. I think it should not be given at this juncture but I would be glad to give it to you in detail in executive session, just what is proposed to be transferred. Mr. LODGE. Thank you very much, sir. Is it planned under this program that the various activities of these several South American navies will be coordinated, in order that a hemispheric defense plan, rather than an inter-American defense plan, shall be integrated from the top level right down to the lowest level? Secretary FORRESTAL. That would flow from, and be in consequence of and corollary to this action. The presence of this naval mission in those countries should provide the focus of such discussions, also. Mr. LODGE. That would perhaps also flow from the Act of Chapultepec. Secretary FORRESTAL. Yes. Mr. LODGE. Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary. Chairman EATON. We greatly appreciate, Mr. Secretary, your usual illuminating presentation here. We regret you were called 2 days in succession. Secretary FORRESTAL. It is always a pleasure and the more I come the better. Chairman EATON. The committee will stand adjourned. We will meet tomorrow at 10 o'clock. (Whereupon, at 12:15, the committee adjourned, to reconvene Thursday, June 26, 1947, at 10 a. m.) INTER-AMERICAN MILITARY COOPERATION ACT THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 1947 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, The committee met, pursuant to adjournament, at 10 a. m., in the caucus room, Old House Office Building, Hon. Charles A. Eaton (chairman) presiding. Chairman EATON. The committee will kindly come to order. Our first witness this morning will be Lt. Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg, Deputy Commanding General, Army Air Forces. STATEMENT OF LT. GEN. HOYT S. VANDENBERG, DEPUTY COMMANDING GENERAL, ARMY AIR FORCES General VANDENBERG. Mr. Chairman, I have already given my writ ten testimony to the committee, and I would like to make some comments in summation thereof. Chairman EATON. You may proceed. General VANDENBERG. I appreciate this opportunity to appear today and to testify concerning the Inter-American Military Cooperation Act now before you for consideration. I shall try to present to you the views of General Spaatz who is temporarily absent from the country, and thus unable to appear before you. The importance of this bill as it applies to the War Department in general has previously been summarized for you. I shall endeavor to present further support of this proposed legislation, particularly from the standpoint of its desirability as viewed from the Army Air Forces. The rapid development of the airplane has, in effect, made a close geographical neighbor of even the most distant Latin American country. It has thus high lighted and emphasized the need for closer cooperation among all the states of this hemisphere. This medium of swift and dependable transportation, the modern airplane, which traverses with equal ease, cities, ocean barriers, and impenetrable jungles, presents the peoples of the Americas with the challenge of a new concept of unity. As the Chief of Staff, General Eisenhower, has stated, many difficulties were encountered during the war just ended in our effort to protect our southern flank and our aerial lines of communication to Europe. The same difficulties were encountered when we prepared Latin American units to engage in combat side by side with our own forces. 63902-47- 6 75 Difficulties arose from the lack of common equipment, comparable organization, and similar procedures, and because of the European technological and military influence which was prevelant and previously predominant in many of these countries. The objective of the legislation now before you is to provide measures to eliminate such a condition of unpreparedness in any future emergency which may arise. The program of military cooperation and standardization is essentially necessary from the viewpoint of the Army Air Forces, due to the extreme mobility of the air arm. A modern air force can be moved rapidly throughout the entire area of the hemisphere, to meet any threat of external aggression. However, to assure safe and effective deployment, we must have similar aids to navigation, similar communication facilities, like weather reporting procedures, and corresponding standards of maintenance for airplanes and bases at strategic points in the hemisphere. A vital factor in hemispheric air operations is the uniformity of ground supplies and maintenance equipment for the repair of airplanes, wherever they may be. It is particularly noteworthy that the proposed legislation is a measure which makes it possible for our armed forces to cooperate on a broad, military basis with Canada. The Army Air Forces have already engaged to a limited extent in a program of cooperation with Canada by the conduct of cold-weather tests on certain equipment and the establishment of weather stations and navigational aids in the far north. This cooperation results in safer and more efficient operations of aircraft in and through the Arctic regions. Full cooperation with Canada would permit us to take advantage of shorter routes to Europe, the Far East, and Asia. If Canada signifies willingness, these routes can be developed to an even greater degree for our mutual benefit. Many advantages other than those which are purely military will accrue to the countries of the Americas through this program of military cooperation. The many technological advances of the modern airplane, coupled with the development of the attendant supporting activities, will bring much knowledge that has equal application to cultural and economic purposes to the peoples of the hemisphere. It is my firm conviction that the program of hemispheric cooperation which will be possible under this proposed legislation now before you will make a distinct contribution to the peace and security of the Americas. It will provide an opportunity for the furtherance of mutual good will and understanding, especially among those involved in aeronautical pursuits, both military and civil. Chairman EATON. Your prepared statement will be included in the record at this point. (The prepared statement of General Vandenberg follows:) STATEMENT OF LT. GEN. HOYT S. VANDENBERG, DEPUTY COMMANDING GENERAL ARMY AIR FORCES Representatives of the Departments of State, War, and the Navy have testified in support of the bill entitled the "Inter-American Military Cooperation Act," now under consideration by the Eightieth Congress. The Secretary of War, Mr. Patterson, and the Chief of Staff, General Eisenhower, have summarized for you the importance of this bill as it applies to the War Department in general. I shall endeavor to present further support of this proposed legislation, particularly from the standpoint of its desirability as viewed by the Army Air Forces. I speak today for General Spaatz in this matter since he is temporarily out of the country. In my opinion, the rapid advancement of the airplane in recent years, both as an instrument of commerce and an instrument of war, has high-lighted the need for close cooperation in this hemisphere. While it is true that hemispheric military cooperation is by no means a new idea, this need for closer military cooperation in the future is now emphasized as never before by the development of the modern airplane. This medium of swift transportation and effective communication has, in fact, brought the peoples of the Americas closer to a new concept of unity. Only a few years ago, when surface transportation was the only means available, weeks and even months were required in effecting communications among the peoples of the hemisphere. Now, through the use of the modern airplane, the time interval between the farthest points in the hemisphere is reduced to a mere matter of hours. General Eisenhower has reviewed for you the difficulties encountered during the past war in re-equipping and retraining our Latin-American allies in order that they might assist in the prosecution of the war against the common enemy. The difficulties in Latin America arose in large part as a result of the lack of common equipment, organization, and procedures. European technological influence was prevalent in almost all these countries, and through the presence of foreign military missions, each of the Latin-American states was educated in diverse forms of military doctrine and equipped with different makes of matériel and arms. Nevertheless, through mutual cooperation during the past war, their armed forces were partially trained and equipped for their own defense and for ultimate use against the enemy. Air bases were established in the sovereign territory of some of these countries for antisubmarine patrol and for protection of lines of communication to active fronts. All of this cooperative effort was accomplished during the trying days of the war and has emphasized the necessity for the nations of this hemisphere to avoid similar conditions of unpreparedness in the future. While the difficulties in obtaining an effective mutual effort were still fresh in the minds of all our people, representatives of the American Republics convened in Mexico City in February 1945 and drew up a hemispheric mutual defense pact entitled the "Act of Chapultepec." The commitments undertaken by all the signatories to this pact constitute the basis for our future military cooperation. We must therefore proceed in the military sense to make those arrangements necessary to insure that the objectives of our peoples in this hemisphere are realized-peace and security for the respective countries. From the Army Air Forces' point of view, the practical solution in terms of hemispheric defense is the development of those means, techniques, and procedures which will insure a complete integration of effort of the air forces of all the countries. Such a program is especially necessary from the viewpoint of the Army Air Forces due to the tremendous mobility of the air arm. The range and speed of the modern airplane is such that a combined air force can be moved rapidly to any point in the hemisphere. However, to assure safe and effective deployment, it is necessary that we have common aids to navigation, similar communication facilities, like weather-reporting procedures, corresponding standards of maintenance of our air bases, and similar provisions for maintenance of our airplanes at strategic points in the hemisphere. A vital factor in hemispheric air operations is the uniformity of ground supplies and maintenance equipment for the repair of airplanes wherever they may be. Much work and effort will be involved in providing this desirable uniformity. This proposed legislation, along with existing authority, will provide the President with the means to enter into a program of hemispheric standardization. It is particularly noteworthy that the proposed legislation is such as to make it possible to cooperate with Canada on a broad military basis. Through the medium of the Permanent Joint Board on Defense, Canada and the United States actively and effectively cooperated during the past war. However, additional legislation is essential to assure the desired degree of future cooperation. The Army Air Forces has cooperated with Canada in conducting coldweather tests on certain equipment and in establishing weather stations and navigational aids in the Arctic regions. Such technical data and aids to navigation are essential to the safe and efficient operation of commercial and mil tary aircraft in the Arctic region. Furthermore, the future obligations of our Government as a signatory to the United Nations' Charter may extend our responsibilities to Europe, the Far East, and Asia. Full cooperation with Canada will permit us to take advantage of shorter routes to these areas through the Arctic region. If Canada so requests, these routes can be developed to our mutual benefit. I should like to invite your attention to the fact that we believe that other benefits will accrue to these countries through this program of military cooperation. The many technical advances of the modern airplane coupled with advancement of the attendant supporting activities will bring much knowledge to the peoples of the hemisphere that can be applied for other than strictly military purposes. It is my firm conviction that the program of cooperation which will be possible under the proposed legislation will make a distinct contribution to the peace and security of our hemisphere. It will provide opportunity for an intermingling of our professional people to the cultural benefit and economic welfare of all. Chairman EATON. Your main argument is that the Air Force is probably the most central and vital program in this whole situation in making a unity in the preparations of the two continents. General VANDENBERG. I was speaking from the air point of view and from that point of view in the Air Force, we feel it is one of the most essential; yes, sir. Chairman EATON. Of course it is self-evident that geographical distance does not amount to anything now, as far as the Air Forces are concerned. How long would it take to travel from the northern point of Canada to the southern point of South America by these fast jet planes? General VANDENBERG. Right at the present time, sir, they would have to stop for gas, but with the modern developments that we can see, I think that distance could easily be traversed in 1 day. Chairman EATON. It would seem, therefore, that from the air point of view, defense for all purposes is absolutely essential if we have any defense at all. General VANDENBERG. Yes, sir; that is what we figure. Mrs. Bolton. Mrs. BOLTON. General, in consideration of this whole situation of hemispheric defense, do you consider it of great moment to us, inasmuch as the increase in speeds would make us very open to any attacks from the African shore? General VANDENBERG. I think that with the increase in range and the increase in speeds, we are liable to be attacked from almost any direction, from the north or from both flanks and the south. Mrs. BOLTON. Do we have anything more than a neighborly entrance in the airfields of South America? General VANDENBERG. I believe there are still some wartime agreements in effect that we anticipate will run out. Mrs. BOLTON. Because they will run out, you believe it to be of importance to us that we enter into an organization such as is contemplated by this bill? General VANDENBERG. Yes; that is what we feel. Mrs. BOLTON. Thank you, General. Chairman EATON. Mr. Kee. Mr. KEE. No questions, Mr. Chairman. |