Evening star., 1940-08-20
.HouseUnitvote
Bill 10 Draft
Men 18 10 64
Gen. Marshall Warns
Hemisphere Defense
Requires a Million Men
BY ROBERT BRUSKIN.

The House Military Affairs Com
mittee today approved tentatively
the registration of men from 18 to
64, inclusive, for compulsory military
service.
The action did not mean neces-
sarily that the bill the committee
will report out in few days will
call for 1864 registration. but this
was considered likely on the basis
OF today's action.
Meanwhile, Senator Lodge, Re-
publican. of Massachusetts offered
an amendment to the revised
Burke -Wadsworth bill now before
the Senate which would restrict the
draft to men between 81 and 25, in
elusive. The Senate bill at present
contemplates registration of men
from Il through 30.
100000 Minimum Need.
1t also was revealed today that
Gen. George c. Marshall. Army
chief of staff. has warned Congress
that Western Hemisphere defense
may require 100000 men, 1000, 900
VI bCNouoC Jul a. z
scattered in so many directions.
Testifying before the Senate Ap-
propriations Subcommittee. which
yesterday reported favorably on a
S. 900 100000 Army-Navy bill. Gen.
Marshall declared that a minimum
of 100000 soldiers was needed for
the defense of the continental
United States.
He said that I'VE cannot at pres
ent expand beyond a force of 1900
900 without destroying our present
organizations"
That Would Discourage Foes.
while a larger force would be
essential to prevent hostile inhltra-
ton in this hemisphere, we cannot
create larger force at the present
moment. However, the 100000,
with an adequate air force and with
the Navy able to assist, is reason
able minimum to discourage any
one from attempting to come into
the Northern Hemisphere .or tire
Caribbean area. 1t will not provide
for what we will have to do in
South America"
Asked by Senator Adams, Demo-
crat, of Colorado if the Army's re-
quest for sufficient funds to equip
2,00O,0 900 men involved some con-
temptation of action in the South
ern Hemisphere" Gen. Marshall
replied:
1T provides for equipment to ex-
pand the Army beyond the 1900
900 figure. We cannot tell what
final strength will be required. If
danger threatens this hemisphere
we may require 100000 men, 4,000,-
900 or more. because our obligations
are scattered in so many directions.
Lost without Equipment.
I'VE must consider the possibility
Of action over a wide expanse The
force required depends entirely on
the extent and determination of
the hostile effort. If We do not
have the equipment we are lost.
There is nothing we can do. We
are impotent to make our next
progression in terms of man power
until we have the required equip
ment."
Gen. Marshall added: IF a two
ocean Navy existed at the present
time that would make quite a diff
ference in our situation
Urging quick passage of the Burke
Wadsworth conscription bill to pro-
vide the needed man power, Gen.
Marshall said that it was his great
est worry today to have the British
feet controlled by Germany.
Il feel that if we had-again an
tiff we had today our protective
mobilization plan force 1900 ,000) in
a reasonable state of training and
with the required equipment, in
Guiding the proper proportion of air.
planes, our chances of becoming in
volved in this tragic war would be
much more remote than is actually
the case. In other words, the degree
of hazard is in inverse proportion to
our degree of preparation"
The heated conscription debate
was resumed in the Senate today
with an accusation that Senator
Wheeler, Democrat, of Montana,
leader of the bipartisan opposition
group was 'impugning motives" and
seeking to censor" the Senate.
Senator Connally, Democrat. Of
Texas. proponent of the Burke
Wadsworth compulsory military
training bill, entered into a debate
between Senators Wheeler and
Thomas, Democrat, of Utah to as
Sert:.
I'm tired of the Senator from
Montana impugning the motives of
the entire Senate and setting him.
(See CONSCRIPTION, Page. A-3)