Evening star., 1932-05-06
Alarmed by Measure to Cut
1000 Officers From
Active List.
GRAVE MENACE SEEN
TO NATIONAL DEFENSE
Macarthur, Leading Strong 0ppo-
sition, Pictures Dangerous Situa-
tion With Lack of Trained Men.


made in the Army appropriation bill as
reported from committee, War Depart
ment officials lost no time today in
laying plans for determined fight in
the House to save from the wreckage
the 1000 officers threatened with re-
tirement as well as curtailment of the
major military activities under the
economy program.
The position of the Army under cur
rent appropriations, $50, ,78e, 900 more
than the amount recommended for
1888, is already below the point of
safety" in the opinion Of Gen.
Douglas Macarthur, chief of staff, and
other experts. To scrap budget pared
to the bare necessities by further re-
duction of s24,3s0 900, they claimed,
would destroy the essential fabric of
defense"
Facing what is perhaps the most
critical period in Army readjustment,
Gen. Macarthur warned the House
Committee that any material reduction
under the reduced budget estimates
would involve either the adoption of
some form of conscription or the prac-
tical disarmament of the United States.
The War Department Is unalterably
opposed to either of these alternatives"
he said.
Claim Defense Crippled.
While realizing the necessity of max
ing substantial economies in view of
the condition of the Treasury, Army
officials nevertheless contend that the
budget estimates which the House
Committee slashed right and left, rep
resented the minimum requirements on
which the military establishment may
exist for one year. 'Retrenchment
when it cripples the national defense
ceases to be economy" Gen. Macarthur
said.
Unless friends in Congress come to
the support of the Army and restore at
least some of the major allowances.
officials we're frank to admit they hardly
know what will be the fate of the Army
this coming year. They are pinning
their faith on the House duplicating
what it did to the Governments omni-
bus economy bill and restoring the Army
appropriations to a point at least favor
able to the budget estimates. Back
fires in congressional districts which
will suffer by reductions in the nom
military activities of the War DEPART
ment are expected to help in this fight.
While anticipating such action, the
proposed reduction of 1000 officers,
leaving only 10000, came as bitter
disappointment to the department.
Their only salve was in the fact that
the enlisted personnel was undisturbed.
AS indicating the gradual scrapping
of the national defense act, Gen. Mac
Arthur placed before the committee
figures showing that the elimination Of
1000 additional officers would reduce
the required strength of the officer per-
sonnel from $4,000 to 10000. The en-
listed personnel, without any further
reduction anticipated, is still below
10000.
Points to Other Nations.
Gen. Macarthur vigorously defended
the economy of the Army as compared
with expenditures for other fcveign
powers. The American budget for
military activities Is from 6 to 7 per
cent of total Federal expenditures, he
told the committee, compared with 25.4
per cent for Italy; TIA per cent for
France and 1871 per cent for Japan.
Only Great Britain, with 7.9 per cent,
approaches American economy among
the great powers.
OF the larger nations, 16 maintain
armies larger than the United States,
he claimed, ranging from France with
a total of 6,942,559 organized forces, to
little Portugal, with 429,739.
While the placing of 1000 officers
on the inactive list involves a whole
sale plucking policy and shake-ups in
many units, the committees action was
prompted by desire to stimulate pro-
motion as well as to effect economy.
The S3,814,823 saving in pay is not all
reflected in the reduction Of officers.
In future years it would be augmented
by some $17,000,000 that would other
wise be needed to provide the mini
mum housing construction.
The effect of the committees proposal
as to the present line and promotion
list group, would mean the retirement
of major generals, 9 brigadier gen.
erals, 86 colonels, 104 lieutenant coll
onels, 3l4 majors, 628 captains and
855 heutenants.
Air Officers Exempt.
Under the committees provision in
the bill, the removal OF second lieuten-
ants is left discretionary.
In the opinion of the committee. the
removal of 1000 officers was necessi-
tated by "a constantly increasing cost
of commissioned personnel" The COM
nittee pointed out that the services of
the officers placed on the inactive list
would be available to the Army in
event Of any emergency. 1t also per-
mits the exemption of Air Corps ofh-
GERS.
The reduction would be effected ac-
cording to age and length of service.
The provision proposes an exemption
to the extent Of per cent as to officers
most advanced in years in the several
grades in order to avoid enforced sep
aration of officers, who despite their
years, possess special qualifications or
who may be performing special duties
by reason Of which their retirement
would be inimicable to the best interest