Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-11-01
Britain Plans
To Keep Extra
Troops Armed

uVVP HlHiVu
LONDON, Nov. (AP).-I
Britain is seeking emergency
powers to keep 100000 extra
troops under arms after the
national draft ends this year.
The governments move was
foreshadowed in Queen Eliza
beth'S speech opening a new
parliamentary session. 1t aims
at allaying allied anxieties over
Britain's declining military /
powers and at swiftly reinforce
ing the undermined Rhine
army,
MY armed forces will con-
tinue to contribute Gin CO.
operation with my allies to the |
prevention of war;" the mon
arch said yesterday. reading
from an address written by her
ministers.
The plans of the government
Immediately ran into oppoSi-
ton Labor Party criticism
when, a few hours later, the
traditional debate on the royal
address began in the House
of Commons. Deputy Labor
Leader George Brown said the
measures were mot particu-
larry fair" to those servicemen
caught in the military net.
Four Steps Announced
Four main steps were an
nounced to strengthen Britain's
Army:
/. Men performing their ma
tional service under the expir-
ing CONSUMPTION system could |
be kept at the colors an extra |
six months. The War office |
explained later about $4,000 |
men could be affected, but far
fewer are likely to be chosen
as things stand now. This is
a Short-term measure designed |
to enable the Rhine army to
maintain its strength while the
Berlin crisis remains unsettled. |
2. Former conscripts of part
time service could be recalled
for six-month stintS. The War
Office said this would make |
about 10000 trained men
available until 1865. Again it |
was stressed there is no present
intention to draft all these men.
1t was held to be a long-term
precautionary measure.
3. The whole structure of
the army's reserve system wis.
be recast in a way that will
enable the government to call
on a wider range Of specialists
in times of trouble. Right now
the state has powers to recall
only two limited categories Of
men for emergency service.
4. This reorganization will be
featured by the formation of a
special group to be known as
1.-The Ever-Readies." It will |
consist Of ex-conscripts pre-
pared to volunteer for one-year
terms any time, anywhere.
Mobilization Not Asked |
Prime Minister Macmillan,
celebrating on these arrange
ments, explained the Berlin
crisis now does not justify inn |
mediate mobilization.
"Our forces are in Germany
on a peace footing" Mr.. Mac
milan said. Mobilization plans
are ready but I am OPP
posed to this step at the mo-
ment.
I'VE have no intention of
turning to national service
(conscription) if we can pos
Sibly avoid it. Both the Navy
and Air Force should be able
to maintain themselves with
out difficulty by voluntary re-
cruitment. The point of diff
ficulty is the Army.
The Prime Minister said there
is a good chance of the all
regular Army fulfilling it's
165,0o0-man target by volun-
tary enlistment.
He said the Berlin crisis has
highlighted some temporary
difficulties which had been ex-
pected in the switch from con-
scription to permanent forces.
1T may be that at the END
of the extra six months (for
which conscripts are being re-
tained) tension will still be
high" Mr.. Macmillan added.
whether it is or not we must
always be ready for some fur
Their aggression. We must make
more permanent arrangements
to buttresS the regular army.
Queen Bows to Traffic
Queen Elizabeth took heed of
modern traffic problems as she
opened the session in a glitter
ing state ceremony. She deliv-
cred her speech a half hour
later than usual, feeling that
the later hour would have less
effect on the morning flow of
traffic. Thousands lined the
streets anyway to witness the
rich pageantry and to cheer
the Queen and Prince Philip as
they rolled by in the Irish state
coach.
!. Sir Winston Churchill also
was cheered by Labor and Con-
Sentative members when he
took his seat in Commons. The
T-year-old former prime min
lister recently suffered a mild
chill.
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