Evening star., 1946-01-15

| IjeopardiZe the results of months of
work in bringing order out of chaos.
1t would mean such a collapse Of
military organization in this coun-
try as to impair gravely our ability
to care for our hospitalized veterans
or to supply the soldiers remaining
overseas"
Gen. Eisenhower added that "in
a final burst of irony the March 20
plan would have delayed the vet
Grams being demobilized for days
and possibly weeks because the tech
nicians who ran the separation CEN
ters would have left the Army them
selves.
Blames Homesickness.
Gen. Eisenhower promised that
the Army will continue to carry
out faithfully its planned reduction
during the coming months" in ac-
cord with his directive reducing
point and service requirements for
discharge.
I'm the light of its terms" he
added, there will no longer be any
useful purpose in such demonstra-
tions as our troops have conducted
during the past week in various
areas around the world. Unfortu-
nately such meetings are always sub
ject to misinterpretation No dis
orders accompanied them. They
were occasioned by homesickness. !
sympathize with the depth of that
longing for home and loved ones
| He said he was confident that
when the reason for the change in
pace in the demobilization program
are recognized by our soldiers and
they have full knowledge of their
outlook for the next six months
they will accept with that mature
judgment Americans always show
their own responsibilities for finish
ing the job"
| Not a single CT who was slated
for discharge by July will be kept
beyond that date, Gen. Eisenhower
promised.
At the outset of his address Gen.
Eisenhower denied that demobiliza-
ton was tied in with universal
military training, and took notice
of one widely spread charge-that
brass hats" want to keep a big
Army so they will not lose rank.
Il have heard it alleged" the
general said, that the Army is
slowing down its rehabilitation be-
cause of a desire on the part of
high officers to hold their rank.
That is entirely false"
Cites Marshalrs Figures.
| Gen. Eisenhower pointed out that
of $500 generals at VI day 789.
or about SO per cent, already had
either left the service or been re-
duced in rank. He declared there
was no possible relation" between
rank and rehabilitation.
Gen. Eisenhower recalled that last
September Gen. Marshall had told
Congress in the same hall that
100000 men would be DISCHARGED
that month, 550,0o0 in October and
that after that it was hoped to
maintain an average of 10000 a
month.
The actual figures, Gen. Eisenhow-
er said, exceeded Gen. Marshall's
prediction. Actually, he explained
there were $4,000 demobilized in
September, more than 1000 900 in
october and about 100000 in De-
cember.
Flashes Big Smile.
Gen. Eisenhower pointed out that
in Germany, with all the difficulties
besetting the Army of Occupation
the United States has only 622 900
troops and will cut the number in
all Europe and in the Mediter-
ranean to 335 900 by July /.
There were fewer than so men,
bers of Congress seated when Gen
Eisenhower, Admiral Nimitz and
several score Army and Navy Off
GERS arrived at 10 o'clock, but they
began pouring in little later.
Gen. Eisenhower, wearing a field
jacket, greeted the assemblies with
a big smile, and then walked to the
center OF the stage, away from the
microphone. He returned to the
instrument after several persons
laughingly shouted Back to the
mike, Ike"
The loudspeakers also were con-
nected to a large adjoining room
where a group of Army and Navy
enlisted men sat. Only members of
Congress, newspapermen and men,
bers of Gen. Eisenhower and Ad-
miral Nimitz's party were admitted
to the auditorium.