The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1940-10-15
.REeIsIRAIIc. DAY

Faced with a shortage or doctors'
engineers, lawyers, and other pro-
fessional men, the army plans to
take in a certain proportion Of
these classes under the draft.
These trained men. while they
will not be deferred II their Rum-
bers are called. will be allowed to
obtain commissions and serve their
year in the medical or engineering
corps. or in the judge advocate gen
erals department. Previously it
was believed such men would re-
ceiye occupational deferments on
the grounds they were necessary
in their civilian jobs.
This development comes as both
army and selectiye service officials
speed last minute preparations for
the great national registration day,
October 16. when for the first time
in the countrys peacetime history
young Americans will sign up for
possible military service.
Draft headquarters warn that pen
alties may be invoked against eligi-
blee who fail TO register Wednes-
day and urge all OF the expected
16.500000 to sign up. With very
few exceptions. every man between
the ages Of q and 35 must register
Anyone who is doubtful should reg
lister first and question the need
later.
The army is rushing plans to care
for the 100000 men who are TO be
called up under the draft in the
next few months There has been
reshuffling Of "a generals for nine
great tactical commands to handle
training OF recruits. The existing
nine corps area commands are to
handle matters Of administration
and supply. leaving the new units
free to devote full time TO the
trainees.
The national guard. meanwhile,
also announces sweeping reorgan-
ization plans. including setting up
of seven new com bination cavalry
mechanical units and reassignment
Of many other groups. The guard
thus will be ready and waiting TO
do its share toward training the
men who come in under the selec.
tive service act.
Both defense and army officials
are speeding the procurement pro
gram to have needed supplies and
materials ready for the new men
William S. Knudsen. Of the Ma
tional Defense Commission, report
ing progress by his group. calls on
every man who works" to aid In
the preparedness efforts.
The one thing We may be most
grateful for in this whole rush OF
confusion is that we are not actu-
ally at war. Few realize what ire
mendous task 1t is TO switch a
peaceful nation onto a wartime
basis. Were We 10 be attacked today
We would probably defend ourselves
quite commercially. but a year
from today We shall be much better
prepared
We shall hope then. as now. how.
ever that there will be no need for
active service. Our best way tot
realize this hope is to be so we'll
prepared that no nation will care
10 attack US AND TO be so sanely
governed that no president or die
tator will lead US into war just TO
see how well his new military or
ganization works under fire.
Armament usually means war. II
may be that the United States can
be the first 10 show how heavy arm
ament. properly handled, will pro-
mote peace. Such a course requires
a great brain The easy way is the |
common way-loud talk. boasts, !
threats. angry controversies. then
war. The hard way is the wise but
rare way-diplomacy, patience,
sensible forcefulness. fair dealing
with weaker neighbors. less atten-
ton to the investors who want the
American army 10 protect their
ventures in foreign securities and
more attention to the future vel
fare Of the American people now
and in years 10 come We need men
in Washington willing 10 take the
hard course even though it means
less immediate personal glory and
wealth perhaps. and less acclaim
from the scheming few and the I'M
thinking many.
-O-