Evening star., 1947-10-02
Universal Training Hi
By Taft in Proposal
For Reserve System
By Gould Lincoln
Stor Stoff CORRESPONDENT

By Gould Lincoln
stor stoff Correspondent
CASPER, Wyo., Oct. 2.-Sena-
tor Taft of Ohio, who during his
last two weeks swing through
the West has laid down a RE
publican program" on the most
important issues of the day, to-
day stands committed to mill
tary reserve of technically train
ed men as opposed to a system
of universal military training for
the youth of the United States.
In a statement dealing with the
military policy which this country
should adopt, the Ohio Senator did
not seek to characterize this policy
as part of the Republican program.
He is fully aware that some of his
Republican colleagues will support
the bill for universal military train
ing which the administration and
the chief military advisers of the
President are urging Congress to
pass at its coming session. Among
them are Chairman Gurney of the
Senate Armed Services Committee
and Chairman Andrews of the
House Committee.
Split on Issue Seen.
Senator Taft is aware, too, that
Gov. Dewey of New York, his lead
! ing opponent for the Republican
presidential nomination, has come
out for military training. What he
has made clear, however, is that he,
is chairman of the Republican
Policy Committee of the Senate and
a recognized leader, will throw every
ounce of his influence and prestige
against the training bill. The pros
poets, therefore, of bitter fight
over this measure are bright, with
a split in Republican ranks.
The policy of the Republican Con-
gress toward universal military
training will doubtless be considered
by Senator Taft and the other
party leaders when the next session
opens. Senator Taft realizes that
much may depend on the world sit
uation and particularly the existing
relations between this country and
Soviet, Russia.
In his statement, Senator Taft
limited very strongly that stress
should be laid today on peace and
that there is entirely too much talk
in this country of war with Russia.
This, too, is one of his reasons for
opposing a system of universal mill
tary training.
Stresses Peace Principle.
"The first principle of any Amer
ican Government" he said, should
be to maintain peace as long as
world conditions don't threaten the
freedom of the people of the United
States. In my opinion, that has
not been the guiding principle of our
foreign policy in the last IS years.
I do not feel confident that it is the
guiding principle of our Government
today"
Senator Taft gave the following
reasons for opposing universal mill
tary training.
/. 1t cannot be justified as a
method of education unless the
American people are prepared to
turn over to the Federal Govern
ment and Army an active part in
conducting the education of Amer
ican youth.
2. What is primarily needed for
defense is a comparatively small
number of technically trained men
as military reserves-not millions
of half trained men and boys.
3. The cost of training annually
1000 900 boys would be $4,000, 900 900
or $4,000, 100000.
4. The American military machine
is the most powerful in the world
today and adequate for defense,
unless we want to fight the Russian
millions in Eastern Europe"
S. The adoption of a system OF
universal military training in the
United States would force the same
policy on every nation in the world
and prove an obstacle to peace.
Would Retain Atomic Bomb.
| Senator Taft declared that, for
the present, this country must main
tain armed forces strong enough
to resist any attack on the United
States by combination of nations y
He added that, while the Russian
attitude remains what 1t is, we
had better retain the atomic bomb" :"
He said he believed an adequate
military force can be maintained
with the present expenditures
$40, 500 100000 a year.
eve want" he said, the most ex-
pert, best trained and best equipped
armed forces in the world to meet
the contingencies of modern war
fare" Congress, he contended, al
ready has taken the most important
steps in that direction by unifylng
the armed services under one de-
/ partment and modifying the senior
/ ity system to provide for greater pro-
motion by merit. He said money
also has been provided for research
and for military intelligence.
| Favors U. N. Military Force.
Discussing the question of military
reserves required, Senator Taft said
"I have never felt that universal
compulsory military is the best
method of providing reserves. Nor
would we have need for 10000, ,00o
half trained men of military age,
much of their training out Of date
unless we were again forced to in
wade Europe or Asia with mass
armies. It would take two years to
get the new and up-to-date equip
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