Evening star., 1946-11-24
Johnson Asks Facts
On Defense as Army
Prepares 10 Fight Cut
By ]. A. o,Leory

By ]. A. oLeory
The armed services and the
State Department should give
the new Congress a clear pic
ture of the Nations overall de-
fense plans to guide it In passing
on important legislation, Sena-
tor johnson, Democrat, Of Colo
RADIO declared last night.
1t became known at the same
time that the War Department was
preparing to fight any move by
economy minded lawmakers to cut
the Army below 1,070, 600 men, with
out a corresponding reduction In oc-
cupation responsibilities. That is the
limit the last session Of Congress
contemplated as the size of the
Army for next July /.
This indication came as the
Army's legislative program was
given privately to a session Of the
National Council Of the Reserve
Oficers' Association.
Secretary of War Patterson told
the reserves the Regular Army was
stretched so thin that we really
have no striking force left" Other
officials noted that only one division
and the 38,000-man constabularly
force remained in Germany in con-
trast with Russia's acknowledged 40
divisions.
Plans for Defense Wanted.
Senator johnson, a high-ranking
member Of the Military Affairs
Committee, gave his views to a
reporter before these developments
became known. It is believed he
had In mind what would be re-
quired for the defense of the United
States. rather than the problem
OF occupation, when he said:
What Congress needs is a clear
statement on the military plans for
the defense of this country. well
co-ordinated between the Army.
Navy and Air Force. We have
never had such a plan and it is
long overdue"
Congress. he added, could then
look at the costs, and reach an
Intelligent decision" The plans
Of the military men ought to be
supported by the State Department,
he said.
'The time has come for presents-
ton OF the blueprints of national
defense" the Senator continue. 1--WE
ought to have 1t before new ap-
preparations are made"
Major Issue Tiedin.
Demands for misunderstanding and
tax reduction that have come from
Republicans since they won con-
gressional control, have given rise
to natural apprehension that Army
and Navy funds may feel the econ-
omy ak.
Among the major issues related
to national defense and likely to
come before the new Congress are:
Unification Of the armed forces.
What to. do about the Selective
Service Law, which expires March
81.
Whether to supplant selective
service with some form Of universal
training.
With draft calls suspended for the
time being, volunteer enlistments
were down to 4,444 for the second
week Of November. which is far be-
low the regular Army requirement
Of $1,000 monthly replacements.
While legislative plans are still
IN the making, Army men are rep
resented as convinced, some form Of
compulsion viii be necessary to-
maintain the Regular Army and
build up reserve components. It Is
likely that If another extension of
the draft law is sought. It viii be
With the understanding that 1t ter
inmate whenever a universal train
ing program Is adopted.
Z Arms for Latin America.
officials figure that without some
form OF universal training the prof.
ected national guard of $50 900 men
could not be recruited beyond half
strength, and that there would be
only about $4,000 instead Of a con-
templated 100000 in "M-Day" serv-
Ice units to support field forces.
Other Army proposals likely to 20
before the new Congress include:
Authority to arm Latin American
countries with United States wea-
pons, and to send military missions
to nations requiring them.
To pay reservists as well as Ma
tional Guardsmen for part-tim ac-
tive duty, and part pay for retired
reservists.
A bill to overhaul the Army,s
court-martial system viii await
recommendations from a survey
committee of the American Bar AS
sociation.
II, as now seems likely, Congress
goes through with the merging of
the Military and Naval Affairs Com
mittees In the House and Senate.
1t should facilitate the working out
of these various national defense
problems, regardless of whether the
services themselves are tInified