OCR Text |
Show - - SOC1ET MILITARISM AMPLY CONFIRMED, BUT... High Administration officials are going to some length to give the impression im-pression they are convinced that the policy of the Soviet Union has become more militaristic. While there is some truth in this, there are also indications the deep-seated American mistrust of Moscow and her intentions has led to exaggerations that make it difficult, if not impossible, for the average American to make an impartial appraisal ap-praisal of the actual situation. EXPANDING POWER Soviet military capability has quite obviously expanded mightily in the past decade. The Defense Department's booklet describing current Soviet armed ar-med strength on land, at sea, and in the air presents ample confirmation which the Pentagon asserts can be readily substantiated. Yet, a close reading of this publication uncovers little that is surprising to those familiar with the Soviet armed forces, their well-disciplined well-disciplined personnel, and their weaponry and equipment. But what the booklet also shows is that the Soviet Union has been, and is, surprisingly consistent in the buildup of its armed forces and military materiel. The study clearly traces the increases in military power that have occurred in the USSR, but it does fail to make a compelling case for the implied conclusion con-clusion that Russian militarism as such is rising, much less at the alarming pace that some of the Reaganites would like to have us believe. ECONOMIC STRICTURES It would be foolhardly to question the Soviet Union's pronounced aggressiveness or the fact that it is now approaching a military superiority that promises to imperil non-Communist nations. The sober fact is that the Soviet weapons arsenals and the complement of various types of war planes, missiles, and all types of hips are already far in excess that nation's defense requirements. The situation, however, may not be quite as black as it has been painted. The Defense Department's booklet does not deal with the impressive limitations of the Soviet economy, where stresses and. strains are numerous and seem likely to multiply. An honest appraisal of present and potential USSR miliary power must include study of the political and economic problems that could restrain that oower. TOWARD NEW DETENTE Soviet intrusion in Afghanistan plus an often-expressed hint to act militarily if necessary to keep Poland as a dependable satellite can hardly be taken lightly. Obviously, Moscow is essentially expansionist in its thinking and planning. How, then, explain recent and current Soviet reserve as far as use of its armed power is concerned? con-cerned? It appears that Moscow's Achilles heel is recurring economic weakness, tantamount in some areas to adject failure. If such a reading is nearer the truth than fiction, it could promise progress for U.S. -Soviet talks concerning Europe-based nuclear missiles, talks which are scheduled to commence in Geneva on the last day of this month. Any breakthrough in Geneva would raise hopes for agreement in principle on some other divisive issues when Secretary of State Alexander Haig and Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko meet this coming winter. WHAT TO EXPECT The internal economic and political situation in the USSR will determine in lare measure how Moscow will play her hand in that discussion. It is our guess that the Soviet military chiefs would welcome a pause in the nuclear arms race, and hence may soon be prepared to make SALT concessions. Meanwhile, the U.S. military buildup will quicken selectively and will spill over into allied industries. Ultimately, that should help domestic business prospects in general and perhaps give a lift to the securities markets as well. FUNTIMERS Team Standings W L Gardner's Duraclean 30 10 J. C. Trailers 25 15 Garden Gate Floral 24 16 High Games OeoMortensen 202 Darlean Jensen 202 Eva Roberts 189 High Series Darlean Jensen 553 , OeoMortensen 527 DoyleneBrackett 497 THURSDAY NOONERS Team Standings W L Riteway Concrete 32 12 Westsid'e 66 31 13 Kan-en Welding 24 20 Hiph Games Connie Danise ' 208 BillieSmiiin 191 Barbara Smuin 179 High Series Billie Smuin 524 Connie Danise 501 Barbara Smuin . 485 |