HEARING BEGUN IN SENATE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 135, 19 March 1948, Page 3

HEARING BEGUN IN SENATE

GENERAL MARSHALL GIVES EVIDENCE MANPOWER FOR ARMED FORCES (N.Z.P.A - Copyright). (Rec. 10.30) WASHINGTON, Mar. 17. Two hours after Mr Truman’s address, the Secretary of State (General Marshall) gave evidence before the Senate Armed Services Committee on the universal training law and the revival of selective service. ■He said that diplomatic action without, the . backing of military strength in the present world could lead only to appeasemeht. General Marshall said that as well as manpower -measures, reconsideration of the air programme was necessary. Referring to the importance of the Italian elections, he said: “They will decide not only whether Italy will continue its restoration to true democracy but will foretell whether the disintegration trend may reach the shor,es of the Atlantic.” Mr James Forrestal indicated that the forces wanted to add more than 350,000 to the strength, but he did not say how many more. Mr Forrestal said a draft was the only way to get them. Later Mr Forrestal told the committee that he believed the army would ask for a strength of 900,000 compared with the present authorised 670,000. ‘ ) Ariswering questions, he said that if Soviet forces decided to move into Germany or other parts of Europe, American forces there . could not stop them. He pointed out that there were only 54,000 combat soldiers in the United Sfhtes, and only 30,000 were organised into divisions’ There were only seven or eight divisions overseas, none ready for combat. No Last War Veterans Both Mr Forrestal and the Secretary for the Army, Mr Kenneth Royall, said the present draft plans would exclude last war veterans. They estimated that 3,000,000 men aged 19 to 25 would be liable to the draft. The draftees would serve a maximum of two years universal military training. Senator Wayne Morse told Mr Forrestal that Congress would not pass the draft or universal military training legislation “until the grassroots demand it.” He a£ded: “You have not gone far enough to convince the American people that this legislation is necessary.”

Mr Forrestal replied, that Ire was trying to avoid any appearance of hysteria, but still wished to emphasise the need for the programme. Senator Morse said: “The American people are saying, ‘give us' more facts.’ I think they- can take them. Without them this legislation has not a ghost of a.-'Chance.”