Evening star., 1948-03-25
Services Ask Draft From 1Q to25>
; Billion Fund.- Permanent UNIT;
Truman Seeks Truce in Palestine
349,500 Increase
In Personnel
Urged at Once

asked Congress today for an i'm
mediate expansion of the armed
services and the drafting of men
19 to Is, excluding veterans.
Secretary Forrestal grimly out
lined the recent turn of world
events in urging steps to make
United States military might match
that of Communist Russia.
Mr.. Forrestal told the Senate
Armed Services Committee that the
odds still favor peace and the free
nations of the world.
But he asked Congress to approve
Immediately a temporary draft to
help increase the strength of the
Regular forces by 349,5OO officers
and men.
Mr.. Forrestal proposed appropria-
tons of $4,000, 100000 in cash and
contract authority for the armed
services to cover this expansion.
This presumably would be in addi-
ton to S11 900, 100000 already In the
1949 budget.
Truman TO Revise Budget.
AS Mr.. Forrestal testified Presi-
dent Truman announced he is pre-
pairing to give the Congress a re-
vised defense program.
Mr.. Truman told his news con-
ference he can't estimate yet how
many additional billions of dollars
the program will cost Estimates
from the Defense Department have
not yet reached him, he said.
Press Secretary Charles G. Ross
said later that the Presidents ref
erence to a definite program related
to the formal budget estimates now
being prepared by Budget Director
James E. Webb to cover the items
discussed by Secretary Forrestal.
Mr.. ForreStal also renewed his
request for permanent system of
universal military training which
would become fully effective within
three years. Secretary Fprrestal said
this would provide some $4,000
1S and 19-year-old youths each year
with basic training
Figures for Services.
Mr.. Forrestal proposed an increase
in the Army from the present actual
strength of $4,000 to $4,000; the
Navy from 1897 900 to 100000; the
Marine Corps from 81 900 to- $4,000
and the Air Force from 364 500
to 100000.
This would mean an increase of
10000 above present authorized
ceilings of the Army alone, Secre-
tary of the Army Royal told the
committee.
Later, Gen. Bradley, Army Chief
of Staff, told the Senators most of
the proposed increase in the Regu-
lar Army would go to build up a
mobile striking force of 10000 men.
He said that would be three times
the size of the striking force avail
able now.
The suggested draft, Secretary
Forrestal explained, would apply to
approximately 100000 nonveterans.
but it would actually cover about
1855, 900 after allowing for exemp-
tionS and defermentS.
From this age group" the Sec
retary said, will come the bulk of
an estimated 100000 voluntary en-
istments during the war as well
as 100000 men who it is estimated
must be provided by selective serv-
ice."
Some Details to Be Secret.
Mr.. Forrestal said some of the de-
tails Of the expanded armed service
program must be presented later
behind closed doors"
Because of the world situation
as it exists today, there is certain
detailed information which we can
not safely disclose in open session" :"
MI. Forrestal said.
The current strength of the armed
services is 1892 900.
President Truman asked Congress
in special message March II to
revive the temporary wartime draft
and set up a permanent universal
military training program.
Laying down a stop-Russia edict,
the. President said reinforcements
are necessary to strengthen the
United States in its role of protector
Of free nations against communism
Forrestars Words Blunt.
Mr.. Forrestal used blunt words to
make clear he is asking for men
and money to combat the spread of
Russian influence. Comparing the
Soviet with the governments of
(See DRAFT, Page A-5.)