The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-01-09

today by the American veterans committee in Shafter Stadium.
 The protest meeting last night was held at Fort Shafter. Soldiers contributed funds to cable President Truman demanding that he re- nounce latest War Department rul- ings on demobilization.
 War Department Praised
 MT. Truman said in Washington yesterday that he thought the War Department was doing 8 good jot of deTnobilization. He said the slow down was necessary to carry out American world commitments tS keep the peace. Nevertheless, Con- gresSional critics continued demands for a full-dress investigation of the program.
 dn Yokohama, Col. Charles A. Mahoney, provost marshal, charged that a protest demon- stration before Secretary of War Robert Patterson was stirred up by Communists and Bolsheviks" among the soldiers. One thous- and soldiers in Paris demonstrat. ed last night in front of the American Ernbassy)
 Lt.-Gen. Charles P. Hall, act. ing commander of the 9th Army, warned that American forces in Japan would be left in a precari- ous position if soldiers continued to be sent home much faster than replaceInents arrived. He said lel,l83 men were redeployed from Japan up to Dec. g, and only 53,073 replacementS arrived. He said dangers of sabotage would rise If Army morale showed signs of breakdown)
 Pledges to Carry Protests
 Ten speakers addressed the order. ly meeting at Fort Shafter last night, urging a l0-point drop in the total required for .demobilization effective Feb. i; release of all mer with two years service beginning March 20, and utilization of al available shipping.
 Richardson sought through con- ciliatory methods to prevent unruly disturbances among his troops like the one in Manila during which soldiers booed their commanding general. Yesterday Richardson tols a closed meeting of i,500 non-com' missioned officers that he woulc carry their protests to Eisenhowei and MacArthur.
 He sanctioned an American vet erans committee rally so the sol diers could have an opportunity tx voice their grievances.
 No Local Complaints
 A speaker at the Fort ShafteI meeting Sgt. David Livingston o1 New York, said the group had TX complaint against local brass ane General Richardson" He said i sought to bring pressure agains the War Department "and all thos' in Washington who have broker their promises"
 Demonstrators carried signs read ing "Is Oahu to be occupied?;' Does Patterson want to play patty. cake?" and "A letter today will stoE delay"
 Livingston said the average sol dier as well aware of international commitments, but could not under stand the reasons for occupation oi friendly countries such as China and the Philippines. and also Ha. wall.
 Willing to Cooperate
 Richardson told the non-colnl that he understood how they fell because he was about to become civilian himself. through retirement next October. He said he was quitt willing for them to write their Con- gressmen.
 'They represent your wiil." hs said. "But If you suddenly takl things into your own hands, you pass from Orderliness and comt under the articles of war which hover over you and me and every body else in the Army"
 Richardson added. T don't wani to be put in position where l have to take disciplinary action. Thal would be the most embarrassing. and the iast-thing in the world would want"
 He said he wished the men would not hold mass meetings. lest thei discredit themselves, but f they de. sired to do 60. he would make thi arrangements.
 He called the Manila denionsera. ton "a th0ughfleSs action and mog' lHlndeairnnla. which made tho MAil' form undigninaH." {"