The Secretary of War was granted power in 1941 to remove any officer from the active list of the Regular Army for such causes and under such regulations as he might prescribe. He could not exercise this power in individual cases, however, until the officer had been recommended for removal by a board of not less than five general officers convened for this purpose by the Secretary of War.[676] _Action on Making an Independent Finding_: At least two of the statutes covered in this survey required the President not only to consult, or to receive recommendations prior to taking action, but in addition, to make an explicit finding of fact. The India Emergency Food Aid Act of 1951 permitted the President, after consultation with appropriate Government officials and representatives of private shipping, and after finding and proclaiming that private shipping was not available on reasonable terms and conditions for transportation of supplies made available under Act, to provide for carriage in government-owned ships.[677] Four days after signing the Act, the President proclaimed that he had consulted with public officials and private shipping representatives, and had found it necessary to use government ships.[678] The 1951 amendments to the Universal Military Training and Service Act authorized the President “upon finding by him that such action is justified by the strength of the Armed Forces in the light of international conditions,” and “upon recommendation of the Secretary of Defense” to decrease or eliminate periods of compulsory military service.[679] The remaining statutes, in varying degree, subject administrative decision-making to external controls. _Action if Acceptable to Others_: Congress in 1935 imposed, for three years, limitations upon imports of Philippine yams, twines, cables, and other fibers. The limitation was subject to continuance for an additional three years by presidential proclamation, provided such extension was acceptable to the President of the Commonwealth.[680] Such an extension was made by a proclamation of January, 1938, in which the President recited that “the President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines has indicated to me ... his acceptance of an extension of the operation of that Act for an additional period of three years.”[681] Unlike the earlier statutes which require consultation prior to action, or sometimes permit action only following recommendation and findings, here the substance of the President’s action is subject to approval from a source external to the presidency.