Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-25
EXPECT DEMAND FOR DATA
ON STATES WAR STRENGTH
Inquiries From Government Are Re-
ceivcd Mt Offices OF Governor
and Ad
NO REFERENCE YET TO CALI.
Communications so Far Have Been
Casual in Character, but Belief Is
Current That General Staff Figures
on War Emergency.

Inquiries received at the offices Of
the Governor and the Adjutant General
recently from officials of the United
states War Department Indicate an
early request for facts and figures con-
corning the quota OF volunteers Vir-
Sinia may be depended upon to supplv
in the event that the United States IL
forced into war with Germany.
Tho communications to this time.
coming ut brief intervals. nre casual
In character" said Alexander Forward
secretary to Governor Stuart when
asked Yesterday concerning the CORE
spondence between the government and
state officials mo reference has benn
made in the correspondence to n CON
'cmplatcd call for volunteers"
circumstances. however, make u
clearly apparent that the general stan
4 W .he united States Army and the
war College have already taken i'm
portant steps toward meeting the
emergency of war.
HAS MAPPED OUT
COMPLETE ORGANIZATION
Publicity has been given to initial
measures The War College has
mapped out comprehensive plans for
ne ORGANIZATION, training and mobili-
EATON OF volunteer forces. These plans
are based upon the theory that this
government may send troops abroad To
operate In conjunction with a division
oil the British army. either in Flanders
OF win the land forces at the Dar,la-
neiies. RMS contingency Is at va
rance with the popular idea that. in
the event of Uncle Sans being drawn
'nto the greater war only small
part or the regular army would be en-
gagged while the United States would
be OF best advantage to the powcrs
contending against Germany as n great
nome base of arms. ammunition and
nelu supplies for the armies and navics
OF the allies.
The semioficial statement from
be for 100000 able bodied men, be-
tween the ages OF eighteen and forty
iNo years. Each State will be en-
pectcd to supply n quota commensurate
with Its population. Further than that,
no information has been YOU chs afcd
the public.
BELIEVE WAR PLANS
ARE ALREADY DRAWN
1t is authoritatively stated that the
plans have been drawn and are now
under lock and key In the Army War
CoilcSe. This means that II the crisis
were precip!tated to-day President
Wilson is in n position to take i'm
mediate action. tho prclimnnrics for n
call TO arms being at his hand. Civ
ing complete information for his guild
ancc.
Congress would take the first stop
by authorizing the President to Issue
the call for volunteers. The call would
be in the form OF a proclamation in
which the reason for war would be
briefly stated as q preamble 10 the
call for able -bodied civilians to vol
nntcer for military service. The same
proclamation would call tho State
militia into the field. Under the law
first preference for actual service in
tho field must be given to the organ
lied State militia. The total strength
or the militia organizations In the
United States in 1914 was about 49,
600. or 5000 below the peace strength
prescribed for organized militia
COUNTRY Is DIVIDED
INTO TACTICAL. DIVISIONS
In the event OF war the State militia
"ould DC called upon to volunteer by
companies. regiments or brlgadcs,
which would depend upon the extent to
which they were scattered at the time
OF declaration Of war. Volunteer and
militia organizations would be mobi-
uzcd first according to br!gadcs then
by divisions.
For purposes OF peace organization
the War College has already divided
the country into twelve tactical divi-
sions. These divisions vary in size ac-
cordine to density of population. For
example, the sixth division COMPRISES
the State of New York alone. while
another division includes all of the
States of the Southwest, where popu-
lat!on is sparse Virginia lis In the
eighth division. which embraces the
following States: Virginia. MARYLAND.
Delaware. West Virginia and the Dis
trict Of Columbia.