Evening star., 1945-08-27
Presidents Plan
Limits Service
TO Two Years
Elements Of Danger
Remain in Pacific,
He Tells Congress
Truman Tert on Page AL
BY J. A. FOX.


Congress today to continue
drafting men in the 1925 age
group for two years of service
to provide sufficient occupation
forces, and dimmed hopes that
there might be decrease in in
ductions.
In letter to the chairmen of
the Senate and House Military At
fairs Commlttees-Senator Thomas
Of Utah and Representative May
OF kentucky-the President took
issue with those who are advocating
immediate suspension of the draft.
Mr.. Truman's letter, which assert
ed prolongation oftfhe draft is "the
only acceptable solution" to the
problem of rehabilitation of vet
Grams, was characterized as a SEN
sible message" by Mr.. May shortly
before the committee began closed
hearings today. He announced the
committee would meet in open ses-
sion at 1890 am tomorrow to hear
testimony from Maj. Gems. Stephen
G. Henry and I. w. Edwards on the
Armys needs.
Agrees With Kilday.
Mr.. May took issue with the Pres
ident on the drafting of 1S and 10
year olds, however, agreeing with
the stand taken earlier by Repre-
sentative Kilday, Democrat, of
Texas.
Since the men will not be In
combat Mr.. May said, Il can see
no sense in taking youngsters. Older
men might exercise better discretion
as occupation forces and youngsters
should be in school,
Representatives Skies. Democrat.
of Florida and Fenton, Republican,
of Pennsylvania also expressed op-
position to the induction of youths.
Earlier Representative Shafer, Re-
publican, of Michigan had an
nounced he would press for an
early end to service by that age
group.
Mr., Truman in his letter said he
wished 1t were possible ito recon-
mend the drafting of men to be
stopped altogether and at once" but
that because of the situation in
Europe and the Far East II cannot
so recommend.
Danger Seen in Situation.
He cautioned that the situation
in the Pacific area still holds many
elements of danger" He warned
also against any early moves to de-
clare the war emergency at an end,
thus nullifying Selective Service.
which runs until May Is, 1916. or
until six months after the emer.
gency ends.
Tragic conditions would result If
we were to allow the period of mill
tary service to expire by operation
OF law while substantial portion
of our forces have not been re-
turned from overseas" the Presi-
dent wrote.
He said Congress might wish to
consider what inducements could
be offered to spur voluntary enlist
ments, but he expressed the view
that no more than 100000 volun-
teers could be obtained by next
July.
He added that if inductions were
continued at the present rate, about
100000 men more could be obtained
and then he emphasized that "it is
certain that 100000 men will be
insufficient to meet overall require-
ments next July"
Generals Estimates Mentioned.
He said Gen. Dwight D. Eisen.
hover and Gen. Douglas Macarthur
estimate they will need a total of
1,200, 900 men. exclusive of the
numbers required for supporting
troops in the United States and
other areas"
The difference then, the Presi--
dent continued, between this figure
and the 100000 overall total FORE
cast as the service strength in
July, must be made up by holding
additional numbers of veterans in
service"
IL is evident, he stressed, that
ANY curtailment in the number of
selective service replacements will
only accentuate the number of vet
Grams who must be retained in the
service"
Selective service calls are now be-
ing made at the rate of $4,000 men
monthly.
The Presidents letter indicated
there was no intention to cut down
this volume. although he did say
that the more men who could be se-
cured by volunteer means the fewer
1t would be necessary to induct or
continue in service
Would Avoid Discrimination.
The President reiterated his view
that men who had had foreign serv-
ice should be relieved when possi-
BILE.
"An unforgivable discrimination
would result" he said, ''if we should
favor those who have had no mill
tary service by suspending their in.
(See DRAFT PAGE A-19