Evening star., 1947-06-29
Army Says '48
War Possibility
Is Not Ruled Out
Eisenhower Rates u. S
Strength os Poor
Second to Russia
By J. A. OLeory

Inc american army was raCed
"a poor second" to that of Russia
by Gen. Eisenhower, its chief of
staff, as he pleaded with Sena-
tors yesterday to add $478,000, 900
to the military budget approved
by the House for the new fiscal
year.
After hearing him, Senator Cur
ney, Republican, of South Dakota,
chairman of the Senate Appropria-
tions subcommittee on War Depart
ment funds, told newspapermen
that some very necessary appropri-
ations must be restored"
Gen. EisenhoWer's statement
endebhearings by the subcommittee,
which will meet Tuesday to act.
War Possibility Not Excluded.
"While the War Departments es-
innate of the situation for fiscal year
1948 does not include the probability
of war. it does not entirely exclude
such a possibility" the Chief of Staff
said in his statement.
Il must. therefore. assess the capa-
bility of the United States Army to
defend this country should war oc-
cur. Relative to the armies of other
world powers, I Judge the United
States Army to- be second only to
that of the Soviet Union. However,
it is poor second"
Gen. Eisenhower said the original
War Department budget submitted
to the House represented IAN ex-
tremely close-cropped national Sc
curity program"
The House cuts, he declared
would push us past the last out
post of calculated risk, and fully
into the field of gambling. I have
taken some risks in my time. but
I tell you frankly, the House action
is too risky for me to indorse at
this time
In passing the appropriation bill
last month, the House gave the
Army $5,28O.982 900 in new appro-
priations, plus authority to make
contracts for new aircraft up to
$3.50, 900 900.
This was a reduction of S435, ,800,-
900 below President Truman S
budget in new appropriations. The
War Department is asking the
Senate to restore only $375,oG0, 900
of the House cuts, but since the bill
passed the House a new budget
estimate of $103, 100000 has been
submitted to cover an increase in
cost of 9S2 planes.
This new estimate, plus the $375,-
100000 make the total the Senate
is being asked to add to the bill,
s478 900 900. y
Gas Price Rise Mentioned,
Senator Gurney told newspaper
men aviation gas prices have gone
up from 10 to IS cents gallon since
the budget was prepared in Decem-
ber, with the result that Air Force
plans for 100000 flying hours next
year would have to be cut to 2,700,-
900 hours unless more funds are
allowed.
While the House made no cut in
enlisted men or nurses, it eliminated
74,631 civilian employees and re-
duction of 20,100 in officer person
mel. including $500 warrant officers.
Gen. Eisenhower told the Senators
the War Department is able to
accept a reduction of $4,000 in the
category of civilians, but cannot
absorb the cut in officers and war;
rant officers
Accordingly, he asked for restora-
ton of $4,000 of the civilian posi-
tions and funds to pay 1892 OF the
officers eliminated by the House.
Hayden Agrees with Eisenhower.
Senator Hayden, Democrat. of
Arizona. said later he agrees with
Gen. Eisenhower that House cuts
in military and civilian personnel
would greatly weaken" the Army,
because officers and enlisted men
would have to be diverted to civilian
tasks.
Other Senators who heard the
chief of staff in closed session in
dicated they were impressed by his
presentation.
The man who led his forces to
victory in the European theater of
the recent war described the Army
today as thinly deployed about the
world and composed in the main
of young, inexperienced volunteers,
engaged principally in occupation
duties.
The existing military power of
the United States, he said, could
scarcely be called negligible, but is
hardly Impressive.
Therefore" he continued, "the
United States Army. exerts today
far less pressure for peace than 1t
did when it was the worlds most
formidable fighting force"
He quoted Admiral Ninitz as hav-
ing said, as far as so-called push
(See ARMY. Page abb