DEFENSE: A Matter of Perspective

When Army Chief of Staff Matthew B. Ridgway appeared before the House Armed Services Committee, a Democrat asked if the null cut in ground forces ordered by Commander in Chief Eisenhower by 1956 would affect the safety of the country. General Ridgway's answer: "I think it does, sir."

In his press conference last week, President Eisenhower was asked about General Ridgway's criticisms. The President spoke just as bluntly: "General Ridgway was questioned in the Congress as to his personal convictions, and, naturally, he had to express them.

"His responsibility for national defense is, you might say, a special one, or, in a sense, parochial. He does not have the overall responsibility that is borne by the Commander in Chief, and by him alone, when it comes down to making the recommendations to the Congress.

"My recommendations, I repeat, were made from my best judgment of what is the adequate defense structure for these United States, particularly in the long-term basis. And, naturally, the decision has not been altered. And at this moment, I don't see any chance of its being altered."