Evening star., 1941-07-03
Marshall
Continued From First Page.)

light of recent developments, Gen
Marshall said:
In the light of the situation. 1t
is believed that Our interests are
imperiled and that grave national
emergency exists. Whatever VIC Go
for the national defense should be
done in the most efficient manner.
Differences of view regarding ma
tional policy should not, it seems TO
me, be permitted to obscure the
facts relating to the preparation OF
the armed forces for service, which
has been the purpose of our vast
program for the past l" months.
When and where these forces
are to serve are questions to be de-
termined by their commander-ln- d
chief and the Congress. and should
not be confused with the problem
of their readiness for service. All,
it is believed, will admit that the
time factor has been of dominant
Importance in the march of events
since September, 1899, in the @vail-
ability of material, IN the effect OF
the complete readiness of huge,
highly trained units for employment
in chosen theaters.
Limitations "Hamstring" Army.
"The material phase of our task
is generally understood. The per-
sonnel phase is not, and it is here
that legal limitations, acceptable at
the time of their passage. now ham
string the development of the Army
into a force Immediately available
for whatever defensive measures
may be necessary
Gen. Marshall had reference here
to the statute forbidding the use of
American armed forces outside the
Western Hemisphere or territorial
possessions of the United States.
Gen. Marshall declared, 1T is vi
tai to the security of the Nation
that the hazards of the present
crisis be fully recognized
incidentally, he pointed out, our
history includes some unfortunate
incidents" resulting from quite SIM
liar legal difficulties imposed on the
Army.
In the present crisis. the risks to
the Nation are far more serious"
he said.
The chief of staff's report con-
tanned other recommendations for
the purpose of building up an eff
cient Army and an equally efflcient
military administration.
He referred particularly to a
newly drawn congressional resolu-
ton designed to vitalize the leader
ship in the Army.
The purpose of this legislation" )"
he said. "is to remove from the
active list a few officers who slow
down the development of our emer-
eency Army through lack of quail
ties of vigor and intelligent, aggres-
sive leadership"
Procedure cumbersome"
While the President has broad
authority over the correction of con-
ditions in the Reserve Corps and
National Guard. he pointed out that
in the case of the officers OF the
Regular Army, the law governing
their removal from the active list
is so cumbersome as to make 1t
totally ineffective during national
emergency"
I'm brief" he added. "the War
Department desires authority to cor
rect deficiencies in the Regular
Army as it is now able to do for
the National Guard and for officers
of the Reserve Corps
He declared the War Department
has established mechanism of its
own to improve leadership through
system of temporary promotions.
To date, 286 lieutenant colonies
have been selected for advancement
on basis of their efficiency records.
1T is intended that this procedure
will be carried progressively into the
lower grades Gen. Marshall ex-
planned I'm all these matters, the
interests of the soldier and the
Nation, rather than that of the
individual ofdcer, have governed.
These proposals which the War
Department recommends for action
by Congress have but one purpose,
the security of the American people;
to permit the development of the
national defense on the orderly and
businesslike basis necessary if the
dangers Of the present situation are
to be met. Such a purpose does not
permit Of delay" Gen. Marshall
concluded.