Evening star., 1942-05-29
U. S. Troops to Land in France,
Morsho|| Says at West Point;
1912 Army to Total 100000
Statement Adds
Significance to
London Conferences

An invasion of the European
continent was promised today by
Gen. George C. Marshall, Army
Chief of Staff, who told the West
Point graduating class that
American troops "are landing in
England, and they will land in
France"
Gen. Marshall said the Army
would total nearly 100000 men by
the end of this year, instead of the
previously announced estimate of
100000. During the past four
weeks alone, said the chief of staff,
the Army has grown by 300 900 men.
Your utmost endeavor, backed by
high and unselfish purpose, will be
required to bring this struggle to a
triumphant conclusion" he told the
graduating cadets at the Military
Academy at exercises there.
mo compromise is possible, and
the victory of the democracies can
only be complete with the utter de-
feat Of the war machines Of Ger
many and Japan
Conferences Significant.
Gen. Marshall's statement that
American troops are expected TO take
part in invasion of German-occupled
France was the first reference OF its
kind from a high-ranking American
officer or official.
Additional significance was at
tached to 1t because of the Anglo
American military conferences on
strategy now being held in London.
Offlcials at the War Department
SHE'D at placing their own interpre-
tation on the chief of Stairs declara-
ton, but they admitted its signlf1-
canoe in the light of the conferences
now taking place.
There has been much talk lately
In London of forthcoming use OF
heavy American bombers flying
wing g-to-wing with the r. A. F..
against Nazi-occupied Europe and
President Roosevelt said month
ago that soon American Flying
Fortresses will be fighting for the
liberation OF the darkened CONT
nent of Europe"
Mr.. Roosevelt and other United
Nations leaders have been non
committal, however, on specific
plans for opening second front as
desired by Russia.
President Doesn't Comment.
Mr.. Roosevelt made no reference
at his press conference today to the
Marshall speech or to war develop
ments. He opened his conference,
however, by remarking that he knew
a lot of things he couldn't tell to
reporters.
Asked if they were good things,
he replied with smile that some
were good and some bad.
Gen. Marshall recalled that prior
to December 7, members of Congress,
seeking his justification for expan-
sion plans for the Army, wanted
to know where American soldiers
might be called on to fight and just
what was the urgent necessity for
the Army that we were endeavorlng
to organize and train"
I'm reply I usually commented on
the fact that we had previously
fought in France, Italy and Ger
many; in Africa and the Far East;
in Serbia and Northern Russia"
Gen. Marshall said mo one could
tell what the future might hold for
us. But one thing was clear to me,
we must be prepared to fight any
where, and on short notice.
Will Land in France.
The possibilities were not over
drawn, for today we find American
soldiers throughout the Pacific, in
Burma, China and India. They
have flown over Japan. They are
landing in England and they will
land in France. We are determined
that before the sun sets on this
terrible struggle, our flag will be rec
ognized throughout the world as a
SYMBOL of freedom on the one hand
and of overwhelming power on the
other"
The Chief of Staff said the con-
fusion which existed III the minds
of many Americans before Pearl
Harbor was thing of the past,
and the American people, "solidly
behind the Army, are supporting
whole -heartedly every measure for
the prosecution of the war, and
they are meeting with calm courage
the vicissitudes inevitable in a war
extending to the four corners of the
earth"
This attitude" Gen Marshall said,
'is exemplified in heroic measure
by the parents and wives of those
men who fought to the last ditch
in the Philippines. Their fortitude
was magnificent during those agon-
izing days of tragic uncertainty re-
garding their sons and husbands.
The letters that have come to me
from the mothers or wives of men
lost in that HomerlC struggle are
my greatest reinsurance that Amer
lea has steeled itself for a terrible
struggle, with the implacable de-
(See MARSHALL Page A-4)