Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-02
WAR CANTONMENTS
CUT FROM g TO IS
Many of Forces to Be Quartered
in Tents Instead of in
Wooden Barracks.
BAKER ANNOUNCES CHANGES
National Guard Units of East to
Be Trained in Southern
Section of Country.
tRv Assncia,cd Press

rcriSions in the plan for training Itl,e
war army have been made by the War
department.. which announced TO. day
that the 100000 men to be called to the
colors in September will be conccu-
tratcd in sixteen environments. instead
of thirty-two. and that many of the
forces probably would be put into tents
instead OF wooden barracks
Lack of funds. material. LABOR and
transportation facilities. Secretary
Baker said caused the decision TO re-
duce the number of cantonments. The
larger number seemed practicable. but
that would have made much greater
demand on the overtaXed resources at
the departments command
Although the change will upset all
the tentative plans for camp locations
made by the department commanders. il
is not eXpectcd-to delay beyond Sep
tcmber the mobilization of the great
draft army. Four of the sixteen canton
ment sites provided for under the new
plan already have been selected. and
choice of the others is expected soon
Secretary Baker indicated that build
ing would proceed as rapidly as pos
sible. The four sites selected are at
American Lake. Wash; Atlanta. Ga;
Aver. Mass, and Wrightstown. ~ j.
MORE PLENTIFUL SUPPLY
OF CANVAS AVAILABLE
A more plentiful supply of canvas
than expected made II possible to put
some Of the troops under tents. Most
of the tents used probably will be
placed at Southern camps
In making the announcement. Sec
retary Baker said also that forces in
excess of those which could be cared
for in the sixteen cantonments would
be placed under canvas This Vas
taken referring to National Guard
divisions. although the militia bureau
has received no instructions in this
regard.
The original plan was to build thirty
two divisional cantonments and the
department commanders were called
upon to appoint boards to study the
situation and to recommend thirty
two such places" said an official state
ment The quartermaster-g generals
department. with the Council of Ma
tional Defense, found however that
the cost would he beyond tho appro-
priation which Congress is now con-
-
100000, and the estimated cost ia
$3.50. 600 900.
Another factor was the lack of
labor. material and transportation
facilities for these camps Further.
tho tentase, which originally WAS
short. has now increased so that I'VE
are able to have some of the forces
in tents. The war college recon-
mende'i that the number of canton-
ments he "ut to sixteen Tha' has
been don 4, hut the sites uf these six
teen haze not yet been definitely set
tied. che chief of STAFF is now COM
municatinE with department COM
mandcrs about il.
SO FAR AS POSSIBLE,
TENT CAMPS IN SOUTH
IS" far as possible. the tent camps
VIII be III the South because ot ;he
weather conditions. These changes
Viii not cause any delay in tho time
IF call ri the National Guard or tic
new army, bur will neceSsi,a,e some
redistribution by departments"
There is no indication of an intention
to alter the plan for formation of si~-
teen divisions Of the guard. The qurs-
I tion of hllinE these up II war strength
probably viii not Nc settled urtil Sc
lection of men for military service IN
The draft army begins. Under tho. Iaw
either the regulars or guard can nc
hlled up with men from the selcci.l
| hHis. il that Is desired.
Meantime. the National Guard units
of the Eastern portion Of the coun.ry
viii he drafted into the Fedora! ar.nics
on July -. Undoubtedly they viii TO
put under canvas as rapidly as III
Sional mobilization is ordered Tho.
plan of training virtually all guard
divisions in the Southern section of the
country viii lie adhered to. The guard
already has considerable supply -.
tentast. and the Council OF Maternal
Defense is al work endeavoring 10 Sc
cure enough for all forces.
All uf the guard units will have been
drafted into service by August :, That
does not mean that all will nivc n.rn
ordered 10 divisional training rar.ps at
that tim" Presumably the best
equipped and recruited forces VIII be
made ready hrst for duty abroad hui
there has been no announcement gs to
the process TO he followed More than
G0.doo suardsmcn are now ensa% ~ in
police work. guarding bridges. farto-
rics and other structures. and thr:
work Will have to be kept up