The Wilmington morning star., 1947-01-07

mission will, of course, be worked
out in close collaboration with the
military services in conformity
with the wish of the Congress, but
it is my fervent hope that the
military significance of atomic
energy will steadily decline. We
look to the commission to foster
the development of atomic energy
for industrial use and scientific
and medical research. In the
vigorous and effective develop
ment OF peaceful uses of atomic
energy rests our hope that this
new force may ultimately be turn
ed into a blessing for all nations.
Military Policy
In 1916 the Army and Navy COM
pleted the rehabilitation o. their
wartime forces. They are now
maintaining the forces which we
need for national defense and to
fulfill our international obliga-
tons.
We live in a world in which
strength on the part of peace-lov-
ing nations is still the greatest
deterrent to aggression. \ World
stability can be destroyed when
nations with great responsibilities
neglect to maintain the means of
discharging those responsibilities.
This is an age when unforeseen
attack could come with unprec-
edented speed. We must be
strong enough to defeat, and thus
to forestall, any such attack. In
our steady progress toward a more
rational world order. The need for
large armed forces is progressive
ly declining; but the stabilizing
f o of American military
strength must not be weakened I'M
til our hopes are fully realized.
When a system of collective Sc
curity under the United Nations
has been established. We shall be
willing to lead in collective dis
armament, but, until such a sys-
tenn becomes a reality. We must
not again allow our weakness to
invite attack.
For these reasons, we need we'll
equipped, W~ell-trained r ed
forces and we must be able to
mobilize rapidly our resources in
men and material for our own
defense, should the need arise.
The Army will be reduced to
1,o70, 900 officers and men by July
l, 1947. Half of the Army will be
used for occupation duties abroad
and most of the remainder will
be employed at home in the sup
port Of these overseas forces.
The Navy is supporting the &C.
cupation troops in Europe and in
the Far East. Its fundamental
mission - to support u national
interests wherever required - is
unchanged. The Navy, including
the Marine corps, will average
ST, 900 officers and men during
the fiscal year 1913.
We are encountering serious diff
ficulties in maintaining our forces
at even these reduced levels. Oc-
cupatien troops are barely suf-
ficient to carry out the duties
which Jul foreign policy requires.
Our forces at home are at a
point where further reduction is
impracticable. We should like an
Army and a Navy composed en-
tirely Of long-term volunteers, but
in spite of liberal inducements the
basic needs of the Army are not
now being met by voluntary en-
listments.
The War department has ad-
vised me that it is unable to make
an accurate forecast at the present
time as to whether it will be pos
sible to maintain the strength of
the Army by relying exclusively
On volunteers. The situation will
be much clearer in a few weeks,
when the results of the campaign
Cor volunteers are known. The War
department will make its recon-
mendation as to the need for the
extension of selective service in
sufficient time to enable the Con-
gress to take action prior to the
expiration of the present law on
March 31st. The responsibility for
maintaining our armed forces at
the strength necessary for our
national safety rests with the Con-
gress.
The development Of a trained
citizen reserve is also vital to
our national security. This can
best be accomplished through uni
versal training. l have appointed
an advisory Commission on Uni
versal Training to study the vari-
Gus plans for a training program
and 1 expect that the recon-
mendations of the commission will
be of benefit to the Congress and
to me in reaching decisions on
this problem.
The cost of the military estab-
lishment is substantial. There is
one certain way by which we can
cut costs and at the same time
enhance our national security.
That is by the establishment Of a
single Department of National De-
tense. I shall communicate with
the Congress in the near future
with reference to the establish
ment of a single Department Of
National Defense.
National security does not con-
sist only of an Army, a Navy. and
an Air Force. It rests on a much
broader base. 1t depends on a
sound economy of prices and