Evening star., 1943-09-15

of their available military power.
Such measures are far more extreme
than anything to which the United
States has even given the most
scant consideration. ."
Backing up his story of the need
for more men, Gen. McNarney said
all our operations in this war start
in as amphibious operations which
require maximum of forces. Also,
as the war progresses and our lines
OF communication are heightened,
our logistical problems tend to be-
come more complicated, while those
OF the enemy are simplified.
Training Need Stressed.
Stressing the need for at least II
months of training, the general
called it nothing short of murder
to send unframed men against a
trained enemy. Those who criticize
the Army for keeping so many men
in camps in this country during 1943,
he said. overlook the point that in
adequately trained men would be of
no advantage on the fighting front.
Many Senators not on the COM
mittee attended the hearing, indi-
eating the unusual interest in the
father draft issue. Also sitting with
the Senators were Chairman May
and other members of the House
Military Affairs Committee.
Gen. McNarney began by saying
he knew you gentlemen" will not
indulge in Wishful thinking about
the end of the war. based on the
successes in North Africa and Sicily
Such thinking, he added, would only
prolong the war.
Want Explanation.
The high commands testimony is
expected to decide the fate of the
Wheeler May bills to defer fathers,
since many members of Congress are
waiting to hear the story of the mill
tary strategists before making up
their minds The War Manpower
Commission has set October ! as the
starting date for drafting prewar
| fathers.
There Is a widespread feeling
among Senators and Representa-
tlves that the Army and Navy
should explain why they need more
men than they now have in uni
form, except for requirements, but
there also is strong belief that
civilian legislators should not over
rule the judgment of the men who
must direct the battle lines.
Expect Word From President.
In congressional quarters it was
reported that President Roosevelt
opposes any congressional ban on
the father daft. 1t is believed he will
make known his position in a mes
sage he plans to transmit Friday on
the progress of the war. Although he
is expected to advise against an ab-
solute ban on drafting fathers, the
President said at his press confer
ence yesterday that one thing
| might be made clear-namely. that
II man Is in an essential war in
dustry he would not be drafted. He
added, however. that a good many
fathers are neither in the Army OF
Navy, nor performing any essential
services.
! The President today was holding
his engagements to a minimum to
work on the message, which was ex-
pected to take most of his time be-
tween now and Friday.
| Gen. George C. Marshall, Chief of
Staff out of the city this week, will
appear at 10 am. Monday, and
Chairman Reynolds of the Senate
group has invited the House Military
Affairs Committee to make that a
Joint session.
May Ask National Service Law.
There was speculation, but no GER
tainty, how far the President may
go Friday in discussing the man.
power problem as a whole. or wheth-
! er he would recommend some form
of national service legislation to