Acheson Calls for Troop Strength As Deterrent to Soviet Aggression

Dean Acheson last night called for a strengthening of the conventional forces of NATO nations as a "credible deterrent" to Russian aggression in Europe. The former Secretary of State made his plea in the second of a series of three William L. Clayton Lectures, celebrating the 25th year of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts.

Acheson, besides advocating a build-up of European troop strength, warned that a withdrawal of U.S. troops from their overseas bases would be a signal for Russian attack.

He asserted that a unilateral, or even a negotiated withdrawal of troops would only indicate to the Communists that America might not consider an invasion of Europe a threat to U.S. security.

Unless the Russians know that we will retaliate against any aggression in Europe, they will be prepared to invade. He said, however, that to provoke U.S. retaliation would require "a recklessness in Moscow which it has not so far shown."

Acheson warned further that America must be constantly on guard against Communist attempts to separate the United States and its European allies. If Russia could succeed in these attempts, he said, it would have won the battle of Europe without a single act of violence.

Charges Unsuccessful Leadership

Acheson dismissed the possibility of America's adopting a strategy of fighting a nuclear war with tactical weapons on a European battleground as "militarily impractical and politically obnoxious."

He charged that the administration "has not successfully resolved the problem or attained the goals of those it seeks to lead." In letting our allies lose confidence in the unity of our interests, he continued, "we have renounced leadership."

He also criticized American relations with Canada and Latin America as characterized by "very bad manners." He concluded that we must "hold together the center of our power" in order to be able to help nations farther away.

Acheson defined the "central problem of world power" as the United States' need to lead "a group of free nations by method of free association."

Acheson will conclude his lecture series with an address in Cohen Auditorium at Tufts tonight at 8:30.