Evening star., 1945-09-06

ullG SclcIdliy SOuNQ WOTlQ-WlQe
economy and will contribute to in
ternational peace and to our own
national security"
the next. But we would break
faith with those who won for us
the victory, if we should fail at the
same time to adopt an integrated
and long-range program for the
national security.
AS a sovereign Nation, we must
continue to be ready to defend our
national integrity by maintaining
and manning adequate defense es-
tabliShmentS within this continent,
at the Panama Canal, and at all our
bases overseas. AS a member of the
Security Council of the United Ma
tions, We have an immediate obli-
CATION to bear a share, commensur-
ate with our national standing, in
safeguarding the future security of
all peace-loving nations. AS victor
in the greatest war of history, we
are committed now to an armed oc-
cupation of the lands of our de-
feated enemies until it is assured
that the principles for which we
fought shall prevail in the recon-
struction of those lands.
Must Replace Veterans.
To meet these immediate obliga-
tions will require the maintenance
for some time of real measure of
our present land, sea, and air power
And in this first year after victory
our people have another obligation,
one which is felt in almost every
American home. We owe it to those
now in the armed forces that they
be returned to civilian life with all
possible speed.
To provide the personnel neces-
sary to meet these immediate obliga-
tions We must obtain replacementS
for those veterans who have already
rendered long and arduous service.
We shall make every effort to raise
these replacements by recruiting
volunteers. To that end ask that
the Congress consider ways and
means to assure the maximum sue
cess of the recruiting campaigns
which have already been authorized.
1 suggest that legislation be enacted
to remove the present restriction on
eligibility for voluntary enlistment
and to allow the armed forces to
enlist a larger number of volunteers
than is now authorized. 1t Is fur
ther recommended that, in order to
enable the armed forces satisfac-
torily to compete in the procure
ment of personnel, the Congress
provide suitable inducements for
volunteer service in the Army and
Navy.
However, in view of our extensive
national commitments, am certain,
as are the War and Navy Depart
ments, that we cannot rely on vol
untary recruitment as the sole
method of procuring the necessary
replacements.
Urges Continued Drafting.
I, therefore, urge. that the Con-
gress continue inductions to assure
requirements for these veterans, in
such numbers as are not supplied bv
volunteers.
An unforgivable discrimination
would result If, by suspending in
ductions now, we should favor those
who have had no military service at
the cost of requiring continued
sacrifice from those who have al
ready done their part.
/ Our first concern should be for
those who have been in the armed
forces for several years. They have
been separated from their homes
and from their loved ones. Many
OF them have been under constant
flre and continuous danger for
months and even years. We should
try to avoid imposing further service
upon them.
The only way that this can be
done Is to continue the induction of
young men who as yet have not
served tour of active duty in the
armed services. Only when we find
that we are able to obtain a suffi-
cient number Of volunteers to fill the
necessary quotas for our occupa-
tional needs, can we discontinue the
Selective Service System.
OF course it is entirely up to the
Congress to choose the means bv
which we will provide and maintain
the necessary strength to meet our
commitments. The alternatives pre-
sented are very simple. There are
no others. Either we retain men
now in the service for a further in
definite period, or we provide re-
placements by further inductions.
AS you know, I have already d.
rected the Selective Service to cut
down the number of inductions from
10000 to $4,000 per month, and to
limit them to the age group of 18
through Is.
Favors Years Service.
1t would seem reasonable to limit
inductions, hereafter to men be-
tween the ages of 18 and Is, inclu-
sive, and fix their maximum term Of
service at two years.
Under the existing statute, induc-
tees can be legally retained only for
the duration of the war and period
of six months thereafter. I trust
that, in any event, the Congress will
not pass resolution to the effect
that the war has terminated for the
purposes Of this statute. To do SO
would give to all inducted men and
temporary officers of the Army now
on active duty the right to civilian
status, and would create an impossi-
BILE rehabilitation situation.
These are the military steps which
1t is apparent must be taken att
once to meet the needs of the tram
sitlon from war to peace. First
Things necessarily come first.
But the full needs of our national
security run far beyond this imme-
diate period OF transition. Wei
should make timely preparation forI
the Nations long-range security
while we are still mindful of what
it has cost us in this war to have
been unprepared.
1t is. therefore, my intention toI
communicate with the Congress
from time to time during the cur
rent session with respect to q COM
DrphanSivo ond noptf,,,,o,,,