Evening star., 1945-09-12

for male officers and enlisted
personnel from IS to 10 and
authorized release of all Ma
rines IS years of age and
older. No change was made in
the critical score for women
members of the corps
By the Associated Press.
Undersecretary of War Pat
terson told the Senate Military
Affairs Committee today the
Army expects to discharge 6,000,-
600 men by next July /.
Defending the point system of de-
mobilization, Mr.. Patterson said it
should bring the Army down to
strength of 2,500,000 by the middle
of 1916.
The Undersecretary vigorously re-
jected proposal by Senator John
son, Democrat, of Colorado, that
Congress set up special agency to
police demobilization Senator john
son asked if it would be harmful"
for Congress to name a committee
which would watch the situation
closely" stating that members were
being overwhelmed" with requests
for discharges.
Il believe it would be harmful" ,"
Mr.. Patterson replied. 'Demobiliza-
tion is the Army's task I think that
in the last five years of meeting war
problems, the Army has shown the
competence and ability to under
take the task"
War Strategy Praised.
Senator johnson said he wanted
to pat the War Department on the
back for the way it had fought the
war. But it did not necessarily fol-
low, the Senator said, that the de-
partment is going to do good job
of rehabilitation.
You'll understand If l don't agree
with you," Mr.. Patterson replied
quietly.
Mr.. Patterson testified after he
informed the committee that Secre-
tary of War Stimson was unable to
attend because of prior "unbreakable
commitments" and Gen. George C.
Marshall, chief of staff, was out of
town.
In response to questions by Sena-
tor Bridges, Republican, of New
Hampshire, Mr.. Patterson said no
men with more than As points are
being sent to the Pacific occupa-
tional forces. He said this frees
virtually all of those who saw
combat in Europe except for few
who were there only a very short
time
Mentions Marshall's Directives.
1t is the policy of the department
the Undersecretary said, to de-
mobilize the Army as swiftly as pos
sible to the strength necessary to
maintain occupation forces and take
care of other duties, He said Gen
Marshall had issued a directive i'm
mediately after the japanese sur
render calling for swiftest possible
demobilization economy in use OF
materials and the elimination of all
activities that can be spared.
Some committee members made
no secret of the fact they think Gen
Marshall is the only man who car
take them off an exceedingly hot
spot. The spot gets hotter daily as
their mail piles up with pleas for
service releases.
Senator Gurney, Republican, OF
South Dakota put it into words. He
said:
Gen. Marshall is the only man
the country will listen to on this
matter. We want him to tell the
people just what is being done tc
demobilize the Army and what the
plans are for maintaining sufficient
occupation forces in Europe and
Asia"
Gurney Favors Faster Pace.
Senator Gurney, who always has
been counted on the side of the
generals in any argument with civil
ians over war matters, said he isn't
going to be satisfied until the Army
is turning out 10000 men a day.
The War Department informed
the committee yesterday that re-
leases were running 1000 a day
early this month. 1t said it hopes te
get them up to $4,000. But didn't
say how soon.
At the present time, the Army il
getting $1,000 inductees a month
through selective service. The
Navys share is 10000
That leaves unsolved, in the minds
of the legislators, the question oi
maintaining about 100000 men ir
Europe and somewhere aroune
100000 men in Asia to occupy enemy
countries.
Senator Revercomb, Republican
OF West Virginia said he think.
voluntary enlistments will do tn,
trick.