Evening star., 1949-10-17

they are not represented directly
in the major policy groups.
II do not question for a mo-
ment the motives or patriotism
OF, those who deny the necessity
for our continued existence" he
emphasized. However, I do be-
lieve that they are binding them
selves to the full meaning of sea
power in global warfare in their
refusal to admit the necessity
for land action incident to a
naval campaign"
He pointed out that the feet
Marine forces-one in the At
lantic and one in the Pacific
will not be able to take part in
major feet exercises during the
current fiscal year. because sub
stantially the entire ALLEGATION of
amphibious training facilities
available for training afloat has
been pre-empted for the use of
the Army to the exclusion of
the Marine force"
Asks for 100000 Men.
Gen. Gates recommended a
peacetime Marine force ready for
immediate deployment of two
Marine divisions of six battalions
each and two aircraft wings of
IL tactical squadrons each, to-
gether with the necessary sup
porting elements. He said this
was the strength intended by
Congress-a total peacetime force
of 100000 men-whereaS the Ma
rines are being trimmed to $1,000
men during the present fiscal
year.
Representative Cole. Republi-
can, OF New York, asked Gen.
Gates whether the pattern of
Army efforts to reduce the Marine
Corps to little more than a police
force has not followed the So
called collins Plan" drawn up
by a committee headed by Gen.
]. Lawton Collins, which was
ignored by Congress in drawing
up the unification law.
Gen. Gates Said that appeared
to be the case.
Wording of Law Read.
Mr.. Vinson then directed a
committee to read into the record
the wording of the law with res
pect to the mission of the Marine
Corps. He asked Gen. Gates if
the Marines are satisfied with the
responsibilities set forth there.
"Yes. SIR" Gen. Gates replied.
Gen. Collins, now Army chief of
staff, is en- route to Washington
to testify at the hearings. He was
ordered to cut short an inspection
tour Of Army units in the Orient.
Mr.. Cole said.
Unless have misjudged the
American people, they're going to
protect the right of the Marine
Corps to fight. They get more
economy per dollar out of the
Marine Corps than any other
service"
Mr.. Vinson congratulated Gen.
Gates on making "a very powerful
statement.
"It's good to find out what is
going on in the Pentagon," Mr..
Vinson said. THE question is
whether the Army and the Air
Force shall decide what kind of
Navy and Marine Corps the coun-
try shall have"
Mr.. Vinson asked whether there
has been any effort by the Air
Force to take over Marine Corps
aviation.
1--WE have heard many rumors,"
Gen. Gates replied, "but have
nothing concrete on it"
Asked About New Proposals.
Representative Brooks, Demo-
crat. of Louisiana asked who made
fresh proposals. Gen. Gates tes-
titled have been made in regard
to limiting Marine Corps func.
tions.
"They are in a paper prepared
for the Army chief of staff, but
not signed" Gen. Gates replied.
The paper. he added, is a mem.
orandum recommending that tht
three services reconsider assign.
mentS of roles and missions.
In response to questions from
Mr.. Brooks, Gen. Gates recon.
mended that:
l. The Department of Defense
get approval from Congress be.