The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1917-04-12
WILSON EXPECTED TO FORCE
SELECT|VE DRAFT PLAN FOR
ARMY THROUGH CONGRESS


with European nations, diplomatic at
tention Is now being given to affairs
OF southern neighbors. The leading
countries OF South America-Brazil,
Argentine and Chlli--are becoming
deeply concerned In the war, and the
uppermost question with them Is Of
following the lead OF the United
States and breaking with Germany.
But so complicated are their prob
lens and so devious are the ways OF
LATIN American politics, that It Is
impossible to understand the vary
Ing phases Of their situations. De;i-
mite results and declarations are ex-
pected within q few days, with strong
probability that Brazil and Argentine
will line up with the United States.
while ChllIs course is more inclined
to neutrality.
Carranza IN Mexico has again be-
come obstrcperous and Is causing no
end of worry for diplomatists. Au-
| thentic advices to the Washington
Government state that ne Ia threat
enlng TO place an embargo upon ex-
ports OF what he calls first necessl-
ties" Mexicos principal article OF
export Just now is oil from the Tam
pico and Tuxpam regions. which sup
ply a large part OF Bngland's needs.
II these oil wells. controlled by the
English, should be seized or en-
bargoed, serious complications would
follow. II is thought probable that
Great Britain would insist upon for
clble measures to protect her inter-
ests and that the United states, as
an ally In the war against Germany,
would be obliged 10 assist in what
ever steps might bo decided upon.
In his testimony before the House
Military Committee Secretary Baker
reiterated his belief in the necessity
OF conscription to raise an army.
At the same time, however, II was
learned that the War Department
virtually had decided on plans un-
der which opportunity would be
given for approximately 100000 men
10 volunteer for service for the term
VI the war
A total OF 1855 men already have
|
who viii come under such u status.
This number OF recruits was accepted
J during the first ten days after the
passage OF the war resolution.
Analysis OF the pending Adminls-
tratlon bill as IL affects the regular
army and the National Guard shows
that provision Is made for the abb
sorption OF 6l7,s6s volunteers. OF
these lsl ,6l9 will be needed TO fill UP
the regular army and 2O6,3i9 for tho
National Guard. AZ 10000 men must
be withdrawn from these two services
within six months to train the first
SOC 900 increment OF the selective con-
script army, their places must bo
taken by that number Of additional
volunteers.
All recruits enlisted since the dec
laration OF war and those to be en-
listed hereafter will be notified that
they will be discharged at the close
of the war, putting them In the status
Of wartime volunteers.
Seleotive cOnsCrIption, Mr. Baker
told the committee, would be the fair
est method that could be adopted, as
by II the burden Of defending the
Nation would be equally distributed
among all classes. The plan favored
FOR securing tho first quota OF 500, 1000
men would be:
1. To registed all unmarried men
between the ages OF nineteen and
twenty four
2. To put the names, numbered.
In u box and then draw a number
corresponding TO number indi-
Gated by wheel OF fortune"
3. Select from those drawn the
men best fitted for service.
Army Departmental commanders
have been ordered to resume recruit
ing National Guard organizations TO
the peace strength of the regular
army, 100 men TO the company. Many
companies now have as low as sixty
Ave men,
A War Department statement was
issued to-day TO make plain that the
National Guard recruiting had not
been discontinued. 4.
Recruiting OF the Guard TO war
strength will not be undertaken unui
Congress has authorized tho emer-
gencv enlistment contract, to hold
during the war. Otherwise men would
be required 10 obligate themselves to
six years service In the Guard, ire
spective OF the present emergency, IL
Is felt that this would bo unfair tO
men who wish TO volunteer for the
war only.
The purpose now Is to Introduce
the Army Bill In the House not lateI
than the middle OF next week 1t viii
be taken up ut once and passed, u
possible, by the end OF the week, II
will not be considered under a rule
unless tho necessities OF the war situ.
alton demand that II be put through
with brief debate The debate ovcl
the conscriptlon feature Will. unless
checked. require many hours.
To permit Col Roosevelt to Tais'
and head volunteer army OF 100000
men. a resolution was introduced to-
! day by Representative Emerson o
I Ohio.
a with the approval of Attorne!
0 General Gregory, Chairman Webb o
the House judiciary Committee vii
Introduce tomorrow bill to ALLOW
the allied governments TO recrui
their citizens in the United States
Chairman Culherson of the Senat
Judiciary Committee win introduc
the same bill.
Jane Adams OF Chicago. Presiden
of the Momen's Peace Party: Glber
r.. Roe OF New York; Harry Vein
berger OF the Free speech League O
America. and Charles r. Hallinan q
the American Union Against Mili
tarism, spoke in opposition to IN
present terms Of the AdministrNtio
general SPY bill at a hearing to- da
| haFnVa tha Hpusn Judiciary isOnUl 4