Armed Strength Of United States: Need For Increase

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 July 1950, Page 6

Armed Strength Of United States: Need For Increase

■ WASHINGTON, July 26.—The United States’ Secretary of Defence (Mr Louis Johnson), whom critics have accused of weakening America’s armed forces, said today that, the United States’ military strength was at a post-war peak when the North Korean aggression began. He said the military establishment was “now on a sounder mobilisation base than lhe United States has ever had before.”

Mr Johnson was giving evidence to the Senate Appropriations Sub-Com-mittee in support of Mr Truman’s request for an extra 10,500,000,000 dollars to increase the forces. Mr Johnson said that in the 27 months to June, 1950, the Army’s mobile striking force in the continental United States —the General Reincreased by 105 per cent.

Full Mobilisation

IT? emphasised that: — (1) The present measures were not a call for full mobilisation, but a call to increase the strength in being, in order to enable the United States to support the United Nations in Korea, and to build up strength elsewhere to meet the threat to world peace. (2) The emergency appropriation was based on the requirements of the land, sea and air forces needed by General MacArthur for success, and on the need to increase the forces over and above those committed in Korea.

(3) In the battle of supply in Korea the distances involved were great, with resultant difficult problems and slow progress. Mr Johnson said that the military establishment was now a “closely knit team of land, naval and air forces.” The swift decisions during Ihe last, four weeks to co-ordinate the combat efforts of the three services were striking examples of the benefits of unification. Their overall combat potential on the day South Korea was invaded was greater than at any time since post-war demobilisation had been completed. “Atomic Age” Navy

The United States Senate today passed a Bill authorising a start on an “atomic age” navy, including an atomic-powered submarine. It also permits the Navy to spend 350,000,000 dollars for 50,000 tons of new ships, and to modernise 200,000’tons of old vessels.

The Bill now goes to the House of Representatives. The Senate approved another Bill to remove all limits on the strength of the armed forces until July, 1954. The House had passed a similar measure without specifying a time limit, and now must consider the Senate amendment. The size of the services. has been fixed by law at 2,005,882 men.