Evening star., 1941-07-03
Ry NELSON NJ. SHEPARD.

BY NELSON NJ. SHEfAkD'
Removal of legal restrictions
on the use of American armed
forces abroad and extension OF
the period of service for selective
service trainees, reservists and
National Guard units were rec
commended by Gen. George c.
Marshall, Army chief of staff, to-
day because of imminent threat
of war spreading to these shores.
Gen. Marshall declared in the
fight of the present situation, our
interests are imperiled and grave
national emergency exists. What
ever we do for the national defense
should be done in the most efflcient
manner"
Gen. Marshall. in his biennial re-
bort to the Secretary OF war, Wnlch
was made public. stressed that events
of the past few days threaten to
bring the war close to American
shores.
I'm to President and Congress.
Asked at his press conference II
he approved the recommendation 10
extend the period of service OF Sc
lectees and other federalized units,
Secretary Stimson said he had al
ready submitted a recommendation
on that.
The President and Congress have
TO approve 1t, and until Congress
acts. naturally it won't be done he
explained.
Mr.. Stimson remarked that he
had nothing to say" on the chle1
of stats recommendation that
legal restrictions be removed on the
use of the armed forces outside the
Western Hemisphere.
"Of grave concern today are the
CONTINGENCIES of the present and
the future" Gen. Marshall said.
There are legal restrictions on the
use of the armed forces Wnlcn
should be removed without delay.
Events of the past two months are
convincing proof of the terrific strlk-
ing power possessed by nation ad-
ministered purely on military basis.
Makes Urgent Appeal.
events of the past few days are
even more forcible indications OF the
suddenness with which armed con-
fiict can spread to areas hitherto
considered free from attack.
"1t is therefore urgently recon-
nnended that the War Department
be given authority to extend the
period of service of the selectlve
service men, the officers of the Re
serve Corps and the units of the
National Guard"
Gen. Marshall referred in the re-
port to the training of task forces
for possible special and emergency
operations. Referring to the train
ing program and the desire to ex-
tend the period OF service beyond
the one-year limitation, he said:
"It is the purpose of the War De-
partment to proceed with the mill
tary training of the annual lncre-
ments of selectees, replacing those
now in active service as soon as the
situation permits, especially the
older men. In general, the same
intention pertains to the reserve
officers whom we wish gradually TO
replace with others who have not
vet been brought into active service.
However, fixed rule cannot be
applied at this time, In our opinion.
Some are in Hawaii some in the
Aleutian Islands, others in units
to be dispatched to overseas bases,
and still others are in organizations
to be trained as task forces for pos
sible special operations"
Whole Army Affected.
Although Gen. Marshall called
only for removal of restrictions re-
garding temporary personnel, such
as the selectees and guardsmen, a
War Department official said the
restrictions affected the whole Army.
Selectees, this official added, have
been placed in units with Regular
Army men, to whom the restrictions
do not apply, thus making the en-
tire unit subject to the restrictive
legislation.
Only a comparatively few units
are composed solidly of Regular
Army personnel.
The Chief of Staff also 1eported
that there were 10000 men in over
seas garrisons, including Alaska
and Newfoundland No details we're
given on the distribution of these
troops
Discussing national policy in the
lGne MARSHAII pana -