Evening star., 1941-07-08
LiftsHen1kphere
Limit on Spots
Thought Vital
Indorses Proposals
To Keep SeIeetees
Beyond One Yeor
Earlier Story on Page AID
Bv JOHN c. HENRY.

Remarking that there may be
points outside the Western Hemi-
sphere vital to the defense of the
Americas, President Roosevelt
today indorsed il effect recon-
mendations for keeping the
growing United States Army in
tact beyond its initial year of
training.
The Presidents position was
revealed to press conference
during questioning about Ameri-
can occupation of Iceland and its
relation to hemisphere boun-
daries, and about the recon-
mendations of Gen. George C.
Marshall. Army Chief OF Staff,
that a portion of the selective
service troops be kept in service.
Gen. Marshall likewise proposed
removal of restrictions against use
OF American forces outside of the
western hemisphere.
Indicates No Special Message.
Asked if he also favors the lifting
of restrictions against sending
troops outside of the Western Hem
isphere Mr.. Roosevelt said this
factor might or might not be i'm
portant. He added shortly there
after, however, that there may be
some points just outside the hem
spherical dividing line which would
be very important to hemisphere
defense
He was asked if he contemplates
sending a special message to Con-
gress on this matter. The Chief
Executive indicated he did not by
saying the legislative body is well
aware of the problem.
Questions relating to yesterdays
surprise action of occupying Iceland
and other phases of the Nations de-
fense plans took up most of todays
press conference.
Diplomatic Relations.
In the beginning. Mr. Roosevelt
said he did not know whether diplo-
matte relations with the Iceland
government would begin here with
appointment of a minister to Ice
land or whether he would have to
ask for money to defray cost of a
legation.
He was then asked if he knew of
plans by Germany or any other DOW
ers for the seizure of Iceland. His
answer was that, in time of war. one
should always put onN's self in the
place of an opponent and devise
strategy accordingly. A. times. he
went on, information about an Cp-
ponents plans may be available and
at other times they may not. He
did not indicate whether such infor-
nation was available regarding Ice
land.
The President declined to prog
nostlcate as TO German plans about
the Azores and Cape Verde Islands
and described as improper a uues-
tlon as TO whether we haze troops in
Greenland
An answer to the latter question
might disclose military information.
he explained.
Men Combined Into Forces.
With regard to the Marshall rec
concentrations. the President eX-
planned that men from the Regular
Army. the National Guard and the
draft units have been combined into
the expanding military forces. with
a result that all portions of the
Army contain mixture from these
three sources.
AS an example ne cited an anti
aircraft detachment which might
be important to Hawaiian defense
and remarked that the removal of
National Guard or selectee officers
and men would result in an imme-
diate loss of efficiency The same
would hold true for units in Alaska,
Panama. or any of the outlying de-
fense bases.
Asked particularly about the Mar
shall recommendation pertaining 10
sending men outside The hemi-
sphere. Mr.. Roosevelt said it might
or might not be important that such
power be given.
Iceland Called Matter of Opinion.
Questioned about whether Iceland
is inside the Western Hemisphere,
the President said it depends on the
geographer interviewed. Reminded
that he once placed an imaginary
line between Greenland and Iceland,
and asked if this line has been
shifted, Mr.. Roosevelt repeated that .,
1t all depended on the geographer
1t was at this point that he re-
marked that there may be outposts
just beyond the hemisphere line
which are very important to defense
OF the Americas.
Asked about reports that a new
Maritime Commission building pro-
gram is being drafted, the President
did not confirm the report, but as
serted it is about time to place or
ders for materials in order to keep
tho ch E1Ia[