Evening star., 1945-08-27
Trumon's Letter on Draft

The tert OF President Tru-
mans letter asking Congress to
continue induction OF men in the
1926 age group tolloDs::
1t occurs to me that it would be
helpful to your committee in plan
ming its legislative program to have
my views on the matters which will
be under your consideration. AS you
know, coincident with Japan's ac-
ceptance of our surrender terms. two
important steps were taken to adjust
Army manpower requirements: A
worldwide campaign to obtain the
maximum number of volunteers was
initiated and selective service calls
were reduced from 10000 to $4,000
men month.
The first of these steps will re-
quire legislative assistance. Present
laws place ceiling of $50 900 on the
number of enlistments which can
be accepted; only men now in the
service or those who have been dis
charged for less. than 80 days can
be enlisted directly; and there are
some legal uncertainties regarding
[re-enlistment bonuses, grades. mus
tering-out pay apd ether benefits
under the CT Bill of Rights.
These matters should be clarified
as rapidly. as may be to the, end
that there will be no legal impedi-
ments to the maximum procurement
Of volunteers. In addition the Con-
gress will wish to consider what
more can be done in the way of fur
nishing inducements which will
stimulate voluntary erIhstHents.
The more men who can be secured
by this means, the fewer 1t will be
necessary to induct into Or continue
in the service.
The continuance Of inductions
through the medium of selective
service will be one Of your most crit
ical problems. From many stand
points, I wish it were possible for
me to recommend that the drafting
of men be stopped altogether and
at once But, sharing the deep feel
ing OF our people that those veterans
who have given long and arduous
service must be returned to their
homes with all possible speed and
with the certainty that world con-
ditions will require us during the
transition period to settled peace to
maintain a real measure of our mill
tary strength, I cannot so recon-
mend.
Many Elements Of Danger.
The situation in the Pacific con-
tinues to have many elements of
danger, and war-torn and disorgan-
lied Europe is facing difficult win
ter season, with scarcities of food,
fuel and clothing.
Our occupation forces in those
areas must be held at safe levels,
determined largely by Gen. Mac
Arthur and Gen. Eisenhower, who
are on the ground and familiar with
the situation. We cannot stop the
certain inflow of replacements into
the armed forces, without necessi-
tating prolonged service of veteran
soldiers.
My great concern at the present
moment is for those now in the
armed forces whose war service has
separated them from their homes
and loved ones for extended periods.
An unforgivable discrimination
would result If we should favor those
who have had no military service
by suspending their induction at the
cost of requiring further sacrifice
from those who have already done
their part.
Based on the present unsettled
conditions in Europe, the uncer-
tainties of the Pacific and decent
consideration for all the men in the
service who have borne the burden
OF the past years, I have approved
continuation of inductions until
such time as the Congress shall
establish the broad national policies
to govern full demobilization, occu-
patton and world security.
For Two-Year Period.
While the question of how to
provide adequate military forces
and at the same time to restore
veterans to their homes is q matter
for determination by the Congress,
it appears clear to me that we, dare
not depend solely on volunteers.
The continuation of inductions
through selective service at q rate
depending upon the rate of volun-
teering is the only safe and ac-
ceptable solution. However, it is
my view that these inductions
should be for a two-year period
unless sooner discharged and should
consist of men in the ago group
Is to Is inclusive.
1t is my finn conviction, which I
believe is shared by the majority in
this country, that war veterans who
do not volunteer to remain In the
service should be discharged as soon
as 1t is practicable to do so. This
means that we must start at once
to obtain personnel exclusive of
these veterans to carry the burden
of the occupational period. volun-'
teers should be procured In maxi,
mum numbers and the remainder Of
whatever strength Is required obs
tanned by post-y-J day. inductions
through selective service,