Reviewing Selective Service

Northern Advocate, 8 January 1947, Page 3

Reviewing Selective Service

Dealing with military policy, President Truman said that this was an age when any unforeseen attack could come with unprecedented speed. “We must be strong enough." he said, “to defeat such an attack.'’ He added that when collective security under the United Nations had been established the United Stales would be willing to lead in collective disarmament. “Rut until such a system becomes a reality.” he said, “we must not again allow our weakness to invite attack. “For those reasons we need wellequipped and well-trained armed I forces, able to mobilise rapidly should I the need arise.”

i The Army by July 1 would be rci duced to 1.070,000, half of which would I be used for occupation duties abroad. | The. Navy, including the Marine Corps. 1 by July 1 would be 571.000. Stating that it was still uncertain whether the Army strength could be maintained by relying exclusively on I volunteers, Mr Truman said the War | Department would make a recom- ! mendation' on the need of an extenI sion of selective service before the ! present law expired on March.3l. ! The President said the merging of I the armed forces in one department | was one certain way by which costs could be reduced and at the same time ' national security enhanced.