Evening star., 1940-05-11
TINE EyEuNa STAR wAsH1naToN b O. SATURDAY. NAY H. 100

Ts" 0eIenSe StIen0In
May Add 500 Million
To Present outloys
~ the Associated Prssa.
Swift spread Of the European war
brought before President Roosevelt
today ofacial recommendations for
quick expansion Of the Regular
Army ana Navy and acquisition Of
reserve arms and equipment for q
land force Of q million men.
New defense reinforcements to be
proposed to Congress may add an
other $500, 900 900, some LEGISLATORS
heard. to the heavy outlays already
tentatively approved.
Republican congressional leaders
indicated that they would support
any reasonable expansion OF air de-
lenses.
The definite proposals may not be
put into final shape until early next
week, after the President has talked
with lawmakers who swelled q
chorus OF demands that the security
OF the Nation and Western Hemi-
sphere be bolstered further.
Possibility Of supplementary de-
tense appropriation request or of q
deficiency proposal at the next ses-
sion Of Congress, was mentioned to-
day by Stephen T. Early, secretary
to the President. One. or the other
Is likely, he indicated.
At the present time, however, Mr..
Early said the whole defense budget
problem IS one Of the many under
study. Although numerous star
studies and estimates already are
available, he said that no specific
proposals have been laid before the
President since yesterdays sudden
spreading Of the war.
The Army's Wishes.
From Gen. George C, Marshal
chief OF staff, Congress already has
received an outline of steps which
the War Departments favors beyond
those provided in q pending $7s5.-
000, 600 supply bill. They include:
!. Expand the Regular Army Of
227,000 by $4,000 Immediately to per-
init creation Of q sixth stream
lined" division, expansion of the
fast-moving, hard-hitting 7th Cav
airy Brigade into full division, and
provision for q second Army corps.
The total Of az, 900 men still would
be within the peacetime limit Of
280, 1000.
2. Provide remaining ammunition.
rifles. artillery, tanks and other arms
and supplies for the protective
mobilization plan" force Of 10000
men in units, backed by 10000
reserves.
The cost for critical supplies for
this force would be about $279, 900, :
600. Gen. Marshall estimated at a
House committee hearing in Febru-
ary. They would require one to two
years to obtain. To add essential
equipment Of less urgency would
swell the figure to almost $500, ,OOO,- :
600. 1t was calculated subsequently
by Brig. Gen. George v. Strong.
Still Would Need Munitions.
The existing initial protective
force" Of less than SOC, 900 men, made
up Of the Regular Army and Ma
tional Guard, will be shy munitions
costing $39, 900 900, Gen. Marshall
estimated, even with approval Of the
War Departments budget.
He said that after providing for
overseas garrisons Of 10000, the
United States should maintain q
force sufncient to reinforce the
Panama Canal, to cope with any
likely threat to the Continental
United States. and to serve as a
nucleus Of expansion.
What the Navy considers neces-
sary, beyond the proposed II per
cent increase in warship tonnage,
has not been SO clearly defined.
Chairman Vinson said that an in
quiry opening next week by the
House Naval Committee should help
determine the reinforcements.
An ofncial calculation that war
ships will be manned at only S3.9
per cent Of their full peacetime COM
plements even when current recruit
ing is completed suggested the like
lihood Of proposals for further in
creases in personnel.
Nays Wants.
The Navy, too, has made it clear
that it would like to have SO, 900 900
for nets to protect harbors against
submarines, and boats and other
gear required in landing operations.
Provision for them was stricken
from the 1868, ,797, 900 naval supply
bill in the House.
A suggestion by Chairman Thomas
of Oklahoma that Military Appro-
priations Subcommittee resurvey de-
fense needs with President Roose-
welt before acting on the pending
$785 ,0CO 900 Army supply bill won
prompt approval from Senator
Austin Of Vermont, assistant Re-
publican Senate leader.
II think it would be an excellent
move to get the Presidents ideas on
defense needs" Senator Austin told
reporters.
At the same time, Senator Nc
Nary Of Oregon, the minority leader,
said he favored any increases in air
force funds which appeared neces-
sary to provide adequate aerial de-
fense.
Some Republicans said they
thought proposed II per cent ex-
pansion Of the Navy, contemplated
IN an authorization bill approved
this week by the Senate Naval AT.
fairs Committee, might well be held
up while attention was being devoted