Evening star., 1947-04-08

The War Department today re-
leased results of a study OF the
increasing cost of war which it con-
tends lends support to the principle
that an adequate military establish
ment sis the most effective and least
costly insurance against future
aggression
The statement was offered as part
OF the international program for
Army Week, marked here yes
terday by the annual Army Day
parade, attended by President and
Mrs. Truman and Miss Margaret
Truman.
World War II cost the Nation
almost 2,45o times as much as the
Mexican War in wealth and "a times
as much in lives. the study revealed.
Totals OF $4,000 dead and $340,-
1000. 600 spent to date were shown
for World War II, as against l2,946
dead and s139, ,5oo.2os spent for the
Mexican War.
BY 1872, accruing costs directly
connected with the last war will
raise its cost to $700, 900, 900 900, 1t
was estimated.
Wars Grow Costlier.
The report also offered figures for
the Spanish-American War and
World War I and commented:
"The figures effectively demon
strate that not only are wars pro-
gressiyely greater liability to the
Nation but tend to highlight the
axiom-learned at so great cost
that adequate peacetime defense Is,
until effective international controls
are established, the only reliable
deterrent to future war"
1t. Gen. Lucian K. Truscott, tr.,
was principal speaker last night at
the Army Day banquet of the Dis
trict Chapter, Military Order of the
World Wars, in the Mayflower Hotel.
Brig. Gen. Albert L. Cox was toast
master and Col Edwin S. Bettel-
hem, jr master Of ceremonies.
Greetings were extended by Col.
Arthur j. Perry, chapter commander.
Vice Admiral Earle w. Mills, ma
tional commander of the order, was
among the guests.
In a radio message during the
Gay, Secretary of War Patterson
said the United States would have
been spared both World Wars had
our enemies been convinced, before
they dragged us into battle, that
our Army was strong enough to
defeat them.
Question Put to People.
This Army Week gives our people
an opportunity to consider anew
the question: Shall we again allow
our national defenses to become so,I
weak as to tempt an enemy to at
tack us-so weak that, forced to
fight, we must lose thousands of
lives and billions of dollars before
attaining the strength demanded
by victory?"
A large official party joined Pres
ident Truman and his family in
watching the parade yesterday from
a reviewing stand on Constitution
avenue south of the Ellipse.
His guests included Secretary of
the Navy and Mrs. Forrestal, Secre-
tary of the Interior and Mrs. Krug,
Undersecretary of War Kenneth c. |
Royal, Gen. Thomas T. Handy |
deputy Army chief of staff; Admiral
D. Leahy, the Presidents
chief of staff: Maj. Gen. Harry n. |
Vaughan and Rear Admiral James |
H. Foskett, the Presidents military
and naval aides, with their wives;
Senator Vandenberg, Republican, of |
Col. Perry, whose chapter /
sponsored the parade, and a group
of Brazilian officers, headed by Brig. |
Gen. Tristao De Alencar Araripe, /
commandant of the Brazilian Com
mand and General Staff School.
Brig. Gen. C. B! Ferenbaugh,
commanding general of the military
district of Washington, took seat (
in the presidential box, after passing
the reviewing stand behind police /
escort.
Thousands of spectators filled the
stands and lined curbs along the
route from the Capitol to Seven
teenth street, as the 1000 partici-
pants moved under bright skies
against a brisk breeze.
The President, appearing in ex-
cellent health and spirits. rose
ct the approach of each |
color guard and placed his hat
over his heart. At other times, he |
joked with members of his party. |
Other branches of the Nations