Will U.S. Join Arms Race ?

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 284, 30 November 1937, Page 7

Will U.S. Join Arms Race ?

Strengthening of Forces Urged ••BEST MEANS OF SECURING PEACE” United Press Association—By Klee trio Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Monday, 7 p.m. WASHINGTON, Nov. 28. The Secretary of War (Mr. H. H. Woodring) in his annual report to Mr. Roosevelt, which is regarded as the bluntest for years, urged further strengthening of the armed forces as the best means of securing peace in “an uneasy world made restless by actual and potential warfare.” He recommended: (1) The air force to be maintained virtually on a wartimo basis; (2) an increase of enlisted officers to 14,500 and enlisted personnel to 165,000; (3) an increase of the National Guard to 210,000; (4) strengthen the coast artillery; (5) enrol a reserve consisting of 150,000 enlisted specialists; and (6) revise the pay schedule to a scalo comparable with that in civil life. “I cortainly do not recommend that we join the feverish arms race,” he said. “Our national policy is wholly defensive. However, I believe that, as an insurance against attack, w T e should strengthen our forces. • 4 He stated that the army at present possessed 1000 new planes, with an additional 1000 ordered towards the goal of 2310 by June, 1940. “In the event of a major war, the air force would probably be engaged immediately after the opening of hostilities. Therefore, it is desirable to keep the air force almost on a war footing in peacetime. “Our army is the most efficient in peacetime history, but is relatively weaker than last year, because other nations have increased their military strength at enormous rates.”