Evening star., 1949-04-07
Sharing Armed Might
To Support Pact Urged
On LAST Army Day |
By John A. Giles

Fs ~'~S
The Nation had before it today
strong, new pleas that 1t share its
armed might with Western Eu-
rope and thus help forestall war.
That, and a unified defense sys-
TEN, were the themes yesterday of
speeches commemorating what
might well be the last Army
Day."
Chirman Tydings of the Senate
Armed Services Committee lent
support to this plan last night, as
he called for support of the North
Atlantic Security Pact in speech
at the Mayf1ower Hotel.
The banquet at which the Sen
ator spoke climaxed full day of
Army Day activities here, includ-
ing an hour long parade of 10000
marchers reviewed by President
Truman. Police estimated that
between 10000 and 175.000 per-
sons witnessed the parade.
Elsewhere Army Secretary
Royal and Gen. Bradley, the
Chief of Staff. as well as other
top defense officials, called for
support Of the pact and laid heavy
stress on the need for unified
preparation now.
johnson Tells of Legislation.
1t was at the Mayflower BAN
ouet that Defense Secretary
Johnson announced that legisIa-
ton is being prepared to abolish
Army Day, as we'll as Navy Day,
Air Force Day and Marine Corps
Day in favor of an Armed
Forces ~Day."
Although this plan has the sup
port of both Gen. Bradley and
Admiral Louis E. Denfeld, the
Chief of Naval Operation, it was
coldly received at the banquet,
given by the Military Order of
the World Wars. The organiza-
ton has sponsored Army Day
since 1928.
Mr.. Johnson'S speech followed
his earlier announcement that the
Joint Chiefs of Staff would leave
today for Key West, Fla, to hold
closed door sessions, Under the di-
rection of Gen. Eisenhower, In
another effort to weld the three
fighting services into a better
fighting team.
Mr.. Truman himself pointed up
the new unity drive in telling
Senator Tydings he is anxious to
bring about a complete team at
mosphere." He talked with the
Senator before the Armed Services
Committee opened hearings on the
Presidents plan to give the De-
fense Secretary specific authority
to enforce the unif1cation pro-
gram.
Ocean No Harrier.
Senator Tydings, in his speech
last night, declared that "our own
use of the airplane and the atomic
bomb has made us reluctantly
realize that our oceans are but
brooks-no longer great expanses
barring the advance of a potential
enemy" He added that I'VE have
lost another of our greatest defen-
sive allies-time."
He added his belief that the
Senate will adopt the Atlantic
Pact which carries this program
q step further"
The parade down Constitution
avenue-with its World War II
equipment-gave no real picture
OF the Nations real armed might.
But there were 16 colorful bands
and units of some famous Army
outfits. Es~a
Appearing as interested in the
proceedings as Mr. Truman him.
self were observers front he diplo-
matte corps, including two Rus
sian Army officers.
All four service bands were in
the line of march. With the Air
Force Band was a black and
white spaniel, wearing first SER
geant's chevronS. The President
smiled as the dog weaved happily
in front of his unit.
There were units from the ia
nous 82nd Airborne Infantry
Division, located at Fort Bragg.
N. c., eand engineer units from
Fort Belvoir, Va.
The District National Guard
comprised a whole division in the
line of march, and bands and
ROTC units came from all Dis
trict area colleges. universities