The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-05-01


and 1884 for Italy," he said.
While admitting that economies
in government are necessary, he
pointed out that continued sapping
Of national defense will leave the
nation even less prepared to meet
the next crisis than we were in the
World war.
Planes in Maneuvers
More than a score of military
planes performed at municipal air
port, while planes from various
states bringing membership cards
were arriving.
Four Indiana national guard
planes collected cards from thirty
Indiana cities during the day.
James I. Haizlip, holder of the
west-east coast speed record, and
his wife, Mrs Mae Haizlip. brought
Roland Cocheram, Louisiana de-
partment adiutant, from st. Louis.
Capt. Chellew, IN his discussion
today, said that it was the studied
opinion of military and naval ex-
perts that the defensive arms of the
country not only we're far below the
limits fixed by international under
standing, but were inadequately
trained and equipped. In such
turbulent times as these, domestic
and worldwide, it would be fatal
to reduce the strength of these
forces further, he asserted.
Forces Weak, Scattered
"The combatant arms of the
United States army, for instance,
are less than three times the
strength of the New York City
police force Chellew explained.
These skeleton forces are scattered
throughout the country, provisional
details keeping forts in condition
or personnel assigned to instruc-
ton duty with the reserves, national
guard and with educational inStitu-
lions.
Decrease the size of this force.
and you imperil national security.
Where would the trained leaders
come from if several thousand COM
from the rolls and a war were to
come? Would America again waste
months in training men, only to find
many times that this unprepared-
ness was to cost thousands of lives?
1T is an old statement, but never
army and navy-a force strong
enough to defend this country
against any invader-is merely. the
maintenance of adequate national
insurance.
I'VE certainly would not abolish
or vitiate the police department, the
fire department, or any similar
agency. Then why cut our national
defensive organization to a further
point of effectiveness?
Cost Is Low
1T is not true, as opponents of
national defense have charged so
vociferouSly. that expenditures for
national defense today take more
than an equitable portion of ma
tional expenditures. Considering
American population and American
national wealth, our forces really
are operating at remarkably low
cost?
The policy of economy had weak
ened the army and the navy to a
point that it concerns military ex-
pertS who are charged with defend
ing this country from attack, CheI-
lew asserted.
Our army, including even the re-
serves. ranks below those of Italy.
France, the Soviet, Japan, England
and Germany, in soldiers per billion
dollars of national wealth. In SOL
diers per thousand of population,
it falls behind those of France,
Italy. Japan. the Soviet and Eng
land, excluding their dependencies
and ours. In numerical strength
reserve and regular troops-it is far
down the. line.
Deep Concern Caused
I'm other words, it already is so
emascalated as to cause concern of
the deepest sort Further cuts
would invite, perhaps, another
world war. Our navy is similarly
weak. and so are our air forces.
With our present forces, we are in
viting international catastrophe.
With further cuts. We literally are
saying Here is a wealthy, defense
less nation. No holds are barred.
should congress, in a short
sighted desire for economy of the
moment. cut appropriations of the
army and the navy in such way as
to affect the personnel strength or
equipment OF these branches. it
would, in my opinion, be performing
a distinctly unpatriotic and short
sighted act"