Evening star., 1946-01-18
Demonstrations Held
Of No Further Use
Writer Points Out That Congress
Now Knows Situation
Bv Dapid Laurence

By David Laurence
Astonishment is a mild word to de-
scribe the reaction Of military men
here to the demonstrations among our
troops overseas. For one hears en-
phatic comments to the effect that the
generals overseas permitted mutt
nies and should have disciplined the
ringleaders.
Actually the outbursts are unprece-
dented. In some instances they did
resemble mutinies, and military police
had to be called out to preserve order.
Word has gone forth now to command
ers in all overseas theaters not only to
forbid any further demonstrations but
to impose disciplinary measures on those
who instigate or participate in demon
strations
No punishment probably will be
meted out to those who have taken
part heretofore, because it is believed
that the mass demonstrations were not
curbed in the first instance by the Off
GERS in charge and hence it was as
much the responsibility Of the COM
manders as the men.
Congress Now Knows.
But now that Gen. Eisenhower has
issued his explanation and it Is ap-
parent that Congress knows fully about
the attitude of the troops. there would
be no useful purpose in any further
demonstrations.
Gen. Eisenhower has had a dificult
time with 10 rroh1opo uo
by members of the Senate Military AZ
fairs Committee to the point where he
nearly lost his temper. The Chief Of
Staff did not draw up the original
rehabilitation plans. He has been
fighting overseas these last few years
and is unfamiliar with the intricacies
OF War Department policy. He has
hardly had time to get acquainted with
his staff and with the details of the
major problems facing him, yet because
he is the Chief of Staff he must come
before congressional committees and
be asked questions to which he can
not. as yet, furnish the answers.
1t doesn't seem fair to the general
TO place on him the responsibility for
making demobilization policy. Nor does
it seem right to blame him for the
failure of Congress to adopt a policy
that would furnish requirements for
overseas troops.
Requirements Key Factor.
| Members of Congress have been hear
| ing from their constituents angry pro-
tests about the delay in returning the
Tf lie fLo
bers should reflect the indignation OF
| the citizens and stir up the subject so
that the facts will come out. But the
more the matter Is examined the more
/ 1t Is apparent that the boys who have
been overseas do not really underesti-
mate the size of the occupation job or
the obligations incurred by the United
States in enforcing the peace. What
| they don't understand is why the Con-
gress or the War Department or some
body hasn't provided requirements so
that the men who have done the fight
ing can come home and those who
haven't done any fighting can 60 out
to relieve them.
1t is simple proposition. The men
drafted now will encounter hardly any
hazards, SO it is not question of send
ing them overseas to a combat zone. as
1t was before. The draft is an unpala-
table method of raising an army. but
II no other method is proposed 1t will
inevitably be retained.
Marines Could Do Job.
What many people do not realize is
that America has assumed major obliga-
tlons and needs troops. A volunteer sys-
tenn could raise such an occupying force.
One method suggested is to expand the
Marine Corps by new legislation, author
izing it to be recruited to 100000 men.
This would mean that all the present
Marines overseas would come home un-
less they volunteered for the Regular
Marine Corps. 1t would mean that
trained veterans would be in charge OF
the new force, because the Marine Corps
doubtless has large number who would
wish to stay in the service.
The Marine Corps has an excellent
prestige and one that can stimulate re-
cruiting. Also, 1t is relatively small
but compact organiza ton, and it should
be much easier to build up Marine
Corps of 100000 for requirements in the
Pacific than to try to blend the new re-
cruits into the large and unwieldy Army
which is being so rapidly demobilized.
Congress has had many practical sug-
gestions offered it, but this seems to be
about the best.
AS for Europe, the Army can get
enough volunteers for the occupation
there. 1t is in the Pacific where the real
task OF recruitment is to be found.
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