PLANS FOR AMERICAN ARMY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21853, 25 October 1945, Page 5

PLANS FOR AMERICAN ARMY

YEAR’S TRAINING ALL U.sTyOUTHS PRESIDENTS SCHEME MESSAGE TO CONGRESS (10 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Oct. 24. A recommendation of one year's military training for all men between the ages of 17 and 20 was made by President Truman in a message to Congress. He urged that a small professional army be maintained, supplemented with a reserve of trained young men. He suggested that all male citizens should begin their year’s training either at the age of 18 or at graduation from high school, whichever is the later, with training beginning, in any event, before a man has reached 20. President Truman said there should be no exemption for occupational dependency or any other reason except total physical disqualification. “I urge Congress to pass the legislation promptly while the danger is still fresh in our minds,” he said, “while we still remember how close we came to destruction four years ago, while we are able to vividly recall the horrors of the invasion our Allies suffered, and while we can still see the ravages and ruin of war. “It is only by strength that we can impress the fact upon possible future aggressors that we will tolerate no threat to the peace and liberty of the United States. t Will Back Obligations “Determination to remain powerful denotes no lack of faith in the United Nations organisation. On the contrary, it shows an intention to back our obligations and commitments under the United Nations charter.” Emphasising that the training would not be mere drilling, President Truman said “It will be on the use of all the instruments and weapons of modern warfare. Universal training is not conscription. The trainees will not be enrolled in any of the armed services but will merely be civilians in training.” President Truman believed that the training could well be used to raise the

physical standards of the nation’s manpower, lower its illiteracy rate and develop ideals of responsible citizenship. Trade Training For The Unfit Mr. Truman said the training programme would provide that after a few months’ training youths who were physically unqualified for military service would receive training in certain skilled trades so that, if war came, they could take their place in the shipyards, munition factories and similar industrial plants. Challenging those who declare that compulsory military training would create a powerful military caste, Mr. Truman said the training would have a completely contrary result. A large .trained reserve of peace-loving citizens would never go to war or encourage war if it could be avoided. He added: “Until we are sure our peace machinery is functioning adequately we must relentlessly preserve our superiority on land, sea and in the air. Even the atomic bomb would be useless to us unless we had developed a strong army, navy and air force with which to beat off a foe’s attacks and .then fight our way to points within striking distance of the heart of the enemy. Weapons and Counter-defence “Every new weapon will eventually bring some counter defence against it. Our ability to use either the new weapon or the counter weapon will ultimately depend upon a strong army, navy and air force, with all the millions of men needed to supply them — all quickly mobilised and adequately equipped.” President Truman concluded that a general reserve would be available for rapid mobilisation in a time of emergency but would have no obligation to serve either at home or abroad unless and until called to service by act of Congress. In urging the rapid passing of the legislation, President Truman said: “It is our solemn duty in this hour of victory to make sure in the years to come that no possible aggressor or group of aggressors can endanger the national security of the United States.”