Evening star., 1939-09-13
Pershing, 79 Today,
Asks sFu|I-Strength
Military for U. 5.
Hopes Costly Lessons
Of World War Will
Be Avoided

Gen. John j. Pershing, in a state
ment issued on his 10th birthday,
today gave his hearty support" to
President Roosevelt in authorizing
increases in the Army and Navy
in view of the European war, and
expressed the hope that Congress,
If q special session Is called, will
provide funds ITO carry the military
establishment to its full strength"
The man who led the American
Expeditioflary Force into France u
years ago in the World War-the
first World War, some call it-con-
fined his statement to national de-
fense. The statement was issued
from Walter Reed Hospital, where
Gen. Pershing is undergoing a
routine checkup of his physical con-
dition, and was in response, 1t was
said, to numerous requests for his
views in the present crisis.
"It is not a very good time to be
celebrating birthdays when every
body is disturbed about the unfor-
tunate situation in the world today,
Gen. Pershing commented.
Found France Ready.
His statement today broke . long
official silence. But he has closely
followed events leading to the new
war in Europe, and On his return
not long ago from France made one
succmct statement. France is
ready" Among the few callers he
has are Secretary Of War Woodring
and Army leaders.
ITS harder to break through to
see him than to break through the
Siegfried line" said Col. George E
Adamson, his military secretary.
His information about the military
situation both at home and abroad
is largely that common to the gen.
sral public, Gen. Pershing said, add
ing that the public is "about as well
informed regarding the daily prog
ress of tragic events in Europe as
the Government off1cials, thanks to
the press and radio"
Wants Military Built Up.
But on the subject of an adequate
national defense program, Gen
Pershing expressed himself with the
vigor for which he was noted as the
active leader of American armed
forces. He commended the steps tc
build up all branches of the armed
forces Of the Nation in order tc
avoid the "deplorable situation
which confronted this Nation in the
crisis in 19l4-1917, at the beginning
Of the last World War.
Il feel that this is especially
necessary in the case of the Army
which has been reduced since 1921
so far as ground forces are con-
cerned, to a mere skeleton of the
peace establishment authorized BY
Congress in the National Defense
Act of 1920 Gen. Pershing said.
president Roosevelt, by procla.
nation establishing a limited ma
tional emergency because of the
European war, authorized the Army
to be increased to 227.000 men. The
full strength authorized by the Ma
tional Defense Act Of 1920 is 280, ,0Oo
mem
Wants Field Training.
Gen. Pershing said he hoped Con-
gress, in addition to providing funds
for bringing the Army to its fully
authorized strength, would also pro-
vide funds for an early large con-
centration of large units Of the
Army so that leaders and troops
have the benefit of intensive and
prolonged field training"
He also commended the authorized
increases in the National Guard anc
urged that it be trained so that i,
may be fully prepared and ready
if call to active service should be
necessary"
He said it is "reassuring" tc
know that large group of trained
Reserve officers are available anc
younger men from the r. O. T C
and the C. M. T. C.
I'VE have very strong reason,
he commented, Ito be thankful fol
the far-sighted measures authorized
after the World War to avoid 6
repetition of the dilemma of 1917.
Stresses General staff.
He stressed the Importance tt
national defense of a properly or
ganized and highly trained genera
staff. Fortunately we have such
force now" he added, and
take pride in the fact that I or.
ganized 1t on the basis of my ex.
perience in the World War.
Finally" Gen. Pershing conclud-
ed, Il must recall again our de-
| plorable situation when we entered
the World War q years ago. Their
not a single move had been made
from military point of view, te
prepare for it. That experience
with its costly lesson, I am happy
to say, appears certain to be avoided
In the event that we should agair
become involved in war"
Gen. Pershing plans to leave in
week or two for his winter home II
Tucson, Ariz. Though retired II
1924, he technically is still active b!
reason Of congressional act maxim,
him general of the Armies"-a it'll
created for George Washington ant
since then held only by Grant, Sher'
man, Sheridan and Pershing.