Evening star., 1943-09-29
Full Use Of Air Power
Would Cut Size Of
&
Army, Downey Says
BY J. A. OLEARY.


The military high command is
following ancient concepts of
warfare in planning a larger
Army, when it could knock out
Germany quickly by greater use
of airpower. Senator Downey,
Democrat, OF California told the
Senate today in urging defer
ment of prewar fathers, drafting
of whom is slated to begin Fri
Gay.
The Californian declared ancient
concepts of military strategy so in
fuence the thinking of our high
command that it has been impos-
sible for its members to comprehend
that major war power has passed
from the land and sea to the skies
above, and that final decisions may
now be forced by the total destruc-
ton of cities, transportation, utili-
ties and production centers without
which no people can exist, no de-
tense can be made, no army can be
maintained.
Sees Public Protest.
But whatever the motivation OF
our high command, If they much
longer continue to absorb huge
amounts of our production in fu-
tilely building a land army beyond
our ability to use it, if they continue
thereby to hamper the building of
our airpower to maximum capacity
if they longer delay to force the
surrender of Germany by the full
use of our bombers, then the day
voice of America will be raised in
horror and indictment, proclaiming
the waste, and sacrifice inherent in
the strategy of our high command.
Il hope and pray, before it is too
late, our Government will review
and replan our military program so
that it may be made consistent with
rational principles of modern war;
fare that should now be patent to
all. And to that end, urge that
Congress by its passage of the pend
ing Wheeler bill will indicate to our
military leaders their desire to force
the destruction or surrender of ON
enemies with the smallest possible
loss of our young men and the least
possible injury to the peoples of Eu-
rope"
Prolonged Debate Possible.
AS the debate entered the second
day, indications were supporters of
the Wheeler bill may keep the issue
alive for several days, possibly into
next week, despite the confident
claims of administration forces that
they have votes to spare against the
measure.
Senator Downey contended the
Allies plan to divert their over
whelming air superiority away from
German bombing raids to aid far
reaching land campaigns, which, he
charged, will entail "a terrible sacri-
flee of human life"
He asserted that present bomber
concentration on the Reich is COM
paratively light in view of the po-
tential force which could be hurled
against it,
Quotes RAF Marshal.
He said his views are corroborateo
by every aircraft expert and by all
of the important Allied air officers
The Senator quoted Air Marshal Sir
Arthur Travers Harris, commander
in chief of the Royal Air Force
Bomber Command. as having de-
clered in June, 1912:
IF I could send 10000 bombers
over Germany tonight, Germany
would not be in the war tomorrow;
if ! could send 1000 bombers every
night it would end the war by au-
tumn.'
To this, Senator Downey added
his opinion that Mr.. Churchill's
recent statement In Parliament am
ply corroborates my contentious.
The fury of combat that now
ravages Naples and Italy may soon
spread to Greece. France and the
Balkans" Senator Downey coptin-
ued, "and perhaps over most of
Europe, leaving behind bloody har-
vest, where the dead will be for
tunate and the living most to be
pitied.
Terrible Sacrifice Feared.
Many Americans have lost their
lives at Salerno. Their numbers will
be multiplied many times If our land
campaigns extend over the next year
and to other countries. To me it
seems apparent our military leaders
are preparing to offer a terrible sac
rifice of human life and body that
is not necessary and can never be
justified.
Further on, the Californian de-
clared, I'VE have pinned medal on
the ghost of Billy Mitchell-yet we
allow the archaic systems which
Mitchell denounced to remain in
tact, and we allow Mitchell's disci-
Piles to remain prisoners under the
command Of some OF the verv men,
-little-vision who crucified him"
He apparently was referrjno tn the
crusade the late Brig. Gen. Will
liam l.. Mitchell led for concentra =
tion on air power after the World
War.
Bailey to Speak cn His Bill.
Senator Bailey, Democrat, Of North
Carolina will speak later in the week
on his proposed Wheeler bill substi-
tute. which seeks to bar Government
employment of ablebodied nonfath-
ers of draft age and to curtail as
signment Of commissioned officers
to Washington.
I'm opposed to the Wheeler BILL
Senator Bailey declared. but the
American people are entitled to ev-
cry assurance that the Federal Gov
eminent is not being made the
haven for draft dodgers.
Il have had scores of letters since
announcement of my amendmen,
that indicate the people feel tina
Government payrolls include 6
great many young men who ought
to be at the battlefronts."