Evening star., 1945-10-23
Call for Service
InCuse ofWur
Up to Congress
BY ]. A. FOX.

s. President Truman today called
on Congress to adopt promptly a
universal military training pro-
gram requiring years training
for all youths either at the age
of 18 or on graduation from high
school, which ever is later-but
in any event before the Goth
birthday.
He urged that small professional
Army be maintained, supplemented
with reserve of trained young
men.
Declaring that this plan, which
squares with that advocated by Gen.
George c. Marshall, Army Chief of
Staff, is absolutely essential to build
up an adequate reserve, the Presi-
dent told a joint session of Congress
that no exemptions should be al
lowed for any reason but total
physical disqualification"
"All men should be included in
the training, whether physically
qualified for actual combat service
or not" Mr.. Truman asserted.
On completion of the full years
training, the trainees would become
members of the general reserve"
for a period of six years and after
that would be placed in a sec
ondary reserve status" Trainees
would have the opportunity to quail
ify for commissions.
Message on All Networks.
-r Mr.. Truman suggested that high
school graduates of II might take
p the training course with parental
consent.
He said, too, that when expert
ence shows that trainees are not
qualified for military service, they
might be. trained in certain skills
that would permit them to take
their places in industry in wartime.
After the President had COM
pleted his message, Chairman May
of the House Military Affairs Com
mittee, said:
THE Presidents message in my
opinion was entirely adequate. 1t
covers the subject thoroughly. I
will bring it before the Military
Affairs Committee for consideration
at an early date"
The legislators listened intently
and seriously to the Presidents
plea, and occasionally applauded,
but it was obvious from the atti-
tude of many members that the
training plan will face a hard
fight.
Truman Gets Ovation.
The Chief Executive was given an
ovation when he entered the House.
The chamber was filled and the gal
leries crowded.
In his message, broadcast over all
networks, the President answered
critics by emphasizing that his pro-
posal is not 'conscription.'
Trainees would not be enrolled in
any of the armed services, he ex-
planned, and while the general re-
serve would be available for rapid
mobilization emergencies 'it would
have no obligation to serve, either in
this country or abroad, unless and
until called to the service by an act
of Congress"
Must Remain Strong.
The Chief Executive stressed that
this country must remain strong,
and that to do this denotes no lack
of faith in the United Nations Or
ganization. However, he added, "it
is only by strength that we can i'm
press the fact upon possible future
aggressors that we will tolerate no
threat to peace or liberty"
- To maintain that power we must
act now," he said firmly. THE
latent strength of our unframed cit
izenry is no longer sufficient protec-
ton. If attack should come again,
there would be no time under con-
dition of modern war to develop that
latent strength into the necessary
fighting force"
Mr.. Truman said there are two
alternatives to preserve the strength
of the Nation. Either large stand
ing Army, Navy and Air Force must
be maintained, "or we can rely on a
comparatively small Regular Army,
Navy and Air Force, supported by
well-trained citizens who in time of
emergency could be quickly mobil-
lied"
"I recommend the second course" /"
he declared.
The President said the postwar
military organization should contain
the following basic elements:
@ /. A comparatively small Army,
Navy and Marine Corps.
2. A greatly strengthened National
Guard and Organized Reserve for
the three services.
8. The general Reserve.
''The emphasis in the training of
81 (See TRUMAN, Page AID