DEFENCE PLAN FOR U.S.

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24903, 17 June 1946, Page 4

DEFENCE PLAN FOR U.S.

Unification Of Services DETAILS GIVEN BY PRESIDENT (Rec. 9 p.m.) NEW YORK, June 15. Mr Truman has submitted a plan to Congress for the unification of the United States forces into a single Department of National Defence, says the Washington correspondent of the “New York Times.” The President said that the plan was supported by civilian and military chiefs of the Army and Navy. The major points of the plan are: (1) A single Department of National Defence headed by a civilian member of the Cabinet, under whom will be the Secretaries for the Army, Navy, and Air. (2) The Army, the Navy, and a separate Air Force will be on a parity with co-ordination. (3) The Naval Air Arm will be responsible for specifically defined functions. (4) The marines will be retained. (5) The establishment of a council of national defence, including the Secretary of State, heads of civilian services. and the chairman of the proposed National Security Resources Board. (6) The National Security Resources Board will be under the council. (7) Staff chiefs will be responsible for strategic direction. (8) The Central Intelligence Agency will be under the Defence Council. (9) An agency will be set up to coordinate scientific research. Mr Truman will ask for Congressional approval as soon as possible.