Evening star., 1948-01-15
DefenseChiiefs
See Draft if Aid
Plan Is Rejected
Bigger Armed Force
Called Poor Substitute
For Friendly Europe

TWO OF the NaLlOnS Top de-
Tense chiefs told Congress today
that substituting a strong United
States armed force for the Eu-
ropean Recovery Plan would be
only an armed armistice" and
may mean drafting men for
military service.
Senate and House hearings on the
proposed Marshall Plan for aid to
Europe produced these develop
ments:
/. Secretary of the Army Royal
testified before the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee that the al
tentative to the recovery plan is
"going back to the draft" unless
means can be found to increase vol
untary enlistments not now pro
ducing the manpower we need"
2. Secretary of Defense Forrestal
told the House Foreign Affairs Com
mittee that creation of a strong de-
tense force would be "fallacious"
substitute for the aid program and
would mean only an armed armis-
tice."
Not Threat to Any Nation.
Mr.. Forrestal said such a move
would fail to accomplish the objec-
tives of international economic
restoration and stability and that it's
cost might approximate $1,000, ,000,-
900 annually-as much as the Mar
shall Plan would cost for four years
compared with a current national
defense budget of $11 100, ,000. 900.
Creating this power would in
volve mobilization of so much of
our money and manpower as to deny
ourselves economic security" Mr..
Forrestal said. He emphasized that
the objective of the aid program sis
the prevention of war" and should
not be considered "a threat against
any nation"
The administration is asking So
300, 100000 for the first Is months of
the recovery program.
Mr.. Forrestal said that if the
Marshall program was not going
through I would feel constrained to
ask for substantial increase in the
national defense budget this year
and by substantial I mean from
rs to so per cent"
Quizzed on Mediterranean.
Another high light Of his testi-
mony came when Representative
jackson. Republican, of California
asked what the effect would be on
this country If beachhead were
established on the Mediterranean
by any power hostile to the United
States.
II think any act Of war in the
Mediterranean or Middle East would
have definite significance for us"
the Secretary replied, Gin other
words, the free transit of commerce
ana trade through the Mediter-
ranean is q vital part Of our ma
tional security"
would we resist any such beach
head?" Mr.. jackson persued.
IT don't think I should respond
TO that" Mr.. Forrestal answered.
Secretary Royal had testified yes
terday that unless the recovery
plan is accepted, the Army and its
budget will have to be "measurably
and Immediately" increased.
Asked today how this can be &C
complished, Secretary Royal said
either through an increase in volun-
tary enlistments. which he said is
doubtful, or some method of selec-
tive service"
Draft Called Alternative.
If we assume that voluntary en-
listments have not produced as
many men as necessary, that leaves
only the draft, Senator Lodge, Re
publican, of Massachusetts,, COM
mented.
Mr.. Royal replied that this is
correct.
In other words, Senator Lodge
said, we. have the alternative Of the
European Recovery Plan or "else
going back to the draft"
Secretary Royal said this is the
logical conclusion" unless some
fCeo E0PETGN AID Page A-4.)