Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-15
house VOTES TO
RAISE THE ARMY
TO 100000 men
Popular Chamber, with But One
Dissenting Voice Passes Reso-
luton to Bring Force to
Full Strength.
ADDS NEAR TWENTY THOUSAND
Number of Troops at Border Will
Be About Twenty-Seven
Thousand.
UP TO THE SENATE TODAY

WASHINGTON, March IA
Joint resolution, authorizing the
president to bring the regular army
up to full strength by adding 19,447
men to existing organizations, was
passed in the house late today with
out objection or debate and with
only one dissenting vote. This would
bring the strength of the regular
army up to 10000 men.
Representative Hay, chairman of
the military committee, had asked
for immediate consideration of the
resolution, saying the step was
necessary on account of demands of
citizens along the border for addi-
tional protection during the march
of the punitive expedition into Mex
leo.
Socialist in Negative.
There was no objection and the resolu-
tion was passed in five minutes. On the
vivi voce vote one may" was heard
Minority Leader Mann demanded rising
vote, which resulted 236 to l. Representa-
tive London, SOCIALIST, ot New horh,
Noting in the negative.
Representative Hay told the house the
administration had recommended this
plan rather than call for the militia or
volunteers. The president wanted to
allay any suspicion. he said. that the
government sought to accomplish nothing
in the Mexican expedition except the pur-
suit of villa.
ha In
ate tomorrow.
How 1T Affects BOrdeR.
Senators who were consulted by house
leaders and War department officials as
serted late today that the increase to be
authorized by the house resolution would
add approximately 5000 or 5000 men TO
the regiments now on the Mexican bor-
DER bringing that force up to total OF
about 1900 men.
While the War department has the
power to raise the men without congress
sionsi action, Secretary Baker desired to
obtain the agreement of support from
leaders OF both parties IN order TO be
assured that a point Of order would not
be raised when the resolution came up
for passage.
The present strength Of the army is
about 5000 men. The additional troops
are desired to fill the places Of men who
may be withdrawn from their present
locations for service in Mexico.
To Go over situation.
Representative Kahn said Secretary
Baker went over the entire situation
with Chairman Hay and himself and
satisfied them that the men were needed
The secretary said that no new develop
ments had come in the Mexican situation
which would cause the department to de-
- sire to increase the standing force. but
that army officials were convinced Il
would be best at this time to fill the
places Of soldiers leaving this country.
Secretary Baker later explained that
IT was proposed 10 increase all regiments
of the mobile army 10 fun strength which
would bring the total strength of th'
regular up to approximately 10000 men
including the quartermaster's corps, med
ical corps and other auxiliary troops
The strength OF the mobile army woulC
be raised from 5000 to 5000. which woul
be the number available for border duty
Less than 1000 are now on duty on th'
Mexican border.
AS the various arms OF the service mr.
now distributed as to personnel the orde
would add 5000 enlisted men in the in
fantry l.lOO to the field artillery and 2,JO
10 the calvalry.