BIG POST-WAR FORCES

Grey River Argus, 22 September 1944, Page 5

BIG POST-WAR FORCES

FOR UNITED STATES Wanted by American Legion (Rec. 8.15). NEW YORK, Sept. 20. The American Legion Convention at Chicago adopted a resolution approving of legislation for universal military training for 12 months in the Army or Navy at an age that would be least likely to disrupt normal education and also business life, such training to be integrated with academic education. The Legion also resolved to urge the retention of such Army and Navy bases as are deemed necessary for American national security. The Convention, in a report, declared that the U.S. Navy should be maintained at a strength sufficient to meet successfully any probable combination of hostile fleets. The Legion opposed any loss of control, to other nations, by scrapping any of the United States first-line warships. The Legion also urged the Government to take steps to assure the expansion of United States air commerce in the international sphere. The Legion expressed the opinion that such international air traffic should be conducted under the principle of free and equal competition, under private ownership management; also that the airports throughout the world should be opened to such trade; and that freedom of flight prevail over all countries! The Legion advocated United States participation in an association of free and sovereign nations,' backed by whatever force was necessary, to prevent future wars.

The Legion approved of the demand for the unconditional surrender of the enemies, and affirmed that Germany and Japan must be occupied and must be disarmed permanently. The Legion asked for places at the peace table for veterans of the two World Wars.

The Legion approved a continuance of lend-lease after the war in such cases as may be required, under adequate safeguards. The Legion urged the preservation of the United .States merchant marine. U.S.A. DEMOBILISATION PLANS (Rec. 11.10) WASHINGTON, Sept. 20. The United States Congress has completed action on re-conversion and demobilisation bills. The provisions include: (1) The creation of a War Mobilisation and Re-conver-sion Administration; and (2) machinery for the disposal of one hundred thousand million dollars worth of war surplus property under a board of three members. The demobilisation an<i re-conversion legislation includes a specific mandate on demobilisation forbidding the War and Navy Department from retaining persons in the armed forces for the purpose of preventing unemployment or for the awaiting of opportunities of employment. Congress has rejected proposed provisions for the unemployment insurance of three million Federal employees, thus’leaving unemployment insurance entirely under State control. Congress also deleted provisions for a travel allowance for war workers returning to their homes.

BRITAIN’S POST-WAR CONSCRIPTION. (Rec. 9.50). LONDON, Sept. 21. Military service in Britain after the war will include compulsory cadet service for all boys, who, subsequently, at 18, will have to do one year’s compulsory service in the regular forces, says a Daily Mail Services correspondent. Boys aged between 14 and 17 will serve in Army Cadets. Air Force cadets will be aged between 15 and 18, and Navy cadets will range from 14 years. Exemptions will be granted on medical grounds*Plans for the entry of girls into women’s services will also be announced. Many already serving in the W.R.N.S., A.T.S., and W.A.A.F.’s must be retained. BRITISH CIVIL DEFENCES BEING REDUCED. (Rec. 5.5). LONDON, Sept. 21. ■ It is officially stated that a substantial reduction will be made on October 15 in the civil defences services in all areas in Great Britain, except London and the east and south of England. Reductions will be made in London and the east and south of England, but will be on a much more limited scale than elsewhere. The date for the changes in these areas is not yet settled.