Evening star., 1943-03-12

quested by the David Lawrence.
joint Chiefs of Staff.
Congress is debating the size of
the armed forces. Members are ask
Ing for more deferments for agricul-
tural workers. Senator'S and Repre-
sentatives are saying the Army plan
Is too big. All this merely indicates
that the relationship between the
Commander -in-Chief of the Army
and Navy and the Congress is not
what it should be.
What the forces should be to win
the war overseas is not political
question or theory which laymen
are qualified to settle, though an
academic debate on the subject
doubtless is educational. But in the
END the decision must be made by
the high command If responsibility
Tor victory is to be vested In them.
Other Solutions Available.
1t is all very we'll for members of
Congress to contend that the home
front must be protected and that
food must be produced on the farms.
but the answer Is not to cut down
the size OF the Army and Navy and
Air Forces so as to defer agricul-
tural workers. The answer lies in
nnding ways and means for those
who are not eligible for military
service to be modified for the home
front.
Women and men who are over
draft age can and should bear the
burden Of supplying the home front
while every able-bodied man who
is within the draft-age limits should
be given the opportunity to enter
the armed services.
One way to shorten the war is to
provide the manpower for the high
command. And one way to get that
manpower trained quickly is to
appeal for volunteers from among
those OF draft age. This is opposed
on the ground that it would disrupt
industry. The answer to that OBJ
lection is to stagger the schedule
of acceptances so that the volun-
teers can be indicted in 90-day
intervals.
A Nationwide call for volunteers
addressed to men of draft age
would meet with a tremendous
response. A special insignia for
those who volunteer ahead of the
time for induction under the draft
might be given to encourage early
enlistments.
Change in Psychology Needed.
But as the drive to get manpower
for the Army gets under way, there
could be drive to mobilize the
civilian population for duty on the
home front. For both plans to
succeed requires a change in psy-
chology here in Washington.
The drift lately has been toward
ways and means of avoiding the
hard facts of war-the realities that
must be faced If we are to win
High Army and Navy officials know
the sacrifices ahead. They have
not painted the picture publicly in
Its grim proportions because 1t is
supposed to be bad for morale.
This is not a justified fear.
Secretary Knox recently told
congressional committee that heavy
casualties were expected by the
Navy. Secretary Stimson says the
same thing about the Army. But,
with due respect to these two emf
nent Secretaries, who, by the way
are doing splendid job with their
respective epartments-the Ameri-
can people would be more readily
persuaded If Gen. Marshall, United
States chief of staff, and Admiral
King, commander in chief OF tie
United States fleet, addressed the
American people.
Not Civilian Prerogative.
The public has confidence in our
high command, and if the latter
says we must have the manpower
and the reasons are plainly given
the entire atmosphere will change.
The size Of the Army is not a ques-
ton for civilian debate except in
peacetime. In wartime the size
Is determined by the objective-and
this is determined by the military
men who are acquainted with the
strategy.
1t is dangerous situation to let
confidence in our military program
be weakened by the doubts that
have been raised concerning the
size of the Army. The Berlin and
Rome governments lately must have
HoriypI u,oat t1 tI,ap, &c e;y,o,,la ro,1