The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-05-19
WILSON SIGNS
WAR ARMY BILL
COnscriptiOn Measure Calls
100000 Americans
to Register.
JUNE ) Is DESIGNATED
First Increment of 100000
Soldiers to BE in Training
T. i'm Three Months.
JUNE ) Is DESIGNATED

WAsHINGroN, May 1S-Presideni
Wilson tonight signed the war army
bill, which set In motion Immediately
machinery designed to produce within
years time a national army of more
than 100000 trained and equipped
men. backed by adequate reserves of
men and supplies. and by an additional
100000 soldiers under training
The war bill was carefully gone over
during the day by Brig Gen. Crowder.
Judge Advocate General and Provost
Marshal-General. II remained but TO
prepare the proclamation for the Presi-
dents signature summoning approx
mately 100000 men from 2i to 80
years OF age to register for military
service, and setting the date for begin
ming registration for next June 5.
Indications are that registration will
be completed within Ave days and will
be followed by the process Of selection
which will determine the first 500. 900
men TO he called to the colors about
September l.
Plan to Mobilize Militia
Meanwhile the War Der tment is
pushing vigorously its preparations to
mobilize the National Guard. which with
the regulars forms the first line army.
II was announced to-day that all exist
ing regiments of the guard will be called
into service by August 5. and officials
estimate that with from a month to six
weeks intensive training these troops
will be ready to go forward for final
preparation behind the fighting lines In
Europe for the fighting that is before
them.
Regular army regiments already are
in motion northward from the border,
preparatory to the expansion of the
regular service to full war strength. or
the 1S3,S9S men necessary TO bring the
regulars UP to the 293,000 mark. a.
933 already have been recruited and the
remainder are expected to come in be-
fore June Is.
The National Guardsmen will be con-
| scrpted into the Federal service in three
increments on July Is. July % and
August s. On n general order issued by
! the President conscriptiny specific regi-
ments, the force will cease TO be militia
and become part OF the armies OF the
United States. They will be relieved OF
the limitations upon use OF the militia
and be available for service in any part
of the world.
Authorized TO fiji Guard.
State authorities were authorized to-
| day to MI present regiments or other
units up to full war strength, making a
force OF approximately 329.954 men and
9,S47 officers. No new National Guard
nj a w
! Federal Government until this Is done.
| and reserve battalions for each regi-
ments organized. The result will be
virtually to triple the present strength
| of the Guard, but reports to the depart
ment show heavy recruiting in all
States.
The department announced also the
distribution by military departments Of
| the sixteen divisions Of the new selec-
| tive draft army. and the sixteen Ma
tionaI Guard divisions for training pur-
poses All Of the Guard divisional can
| tonments and most OF the selective army
| camps will be in the southern part OF
! the country.
In all the forces first to be formed will
comprise seven divisions of regulars.
four OF which will be available for mo-
bile duty In continental United States,
supplemented by sixteen National Guard
|
army divisions. Behind this force a Sec
ond call on the selective forces provided
for in the bill would add sixteen ad-
ditional divisions.
Registration of New Armies.
State and municipal officials alread
have been given preliminary outline OF
the work that will fall to them in carry
ing out registration of the new armies
Gen. Crowcer. who will supervise the
work. believes full cooperation and quick
action can be relied upon.
Allowances must be made when the
| military census OF men between the
specified ages has been completed for
probable variation from Census Bureau
| estimates as to the total number OF
persons in this classification. 1t Is re-
garded as unlikely that the registra-
ticn will show the exact 10000, 00O per-
sons liable fixed by the census esti.
mate.
some Delay Is Expected.
There will be some delay also ir
hearing from men absent from theii
homes, who will register by mail. The
officials OF every State and town, how.
ever, have been authorized to issue cards
To such men In their communities In order
| aVOlu tHe uehty VI 10 nome
precincts. the forwarding OF registration
blanks and their return. 1t IL expected
hotels and other public places in big
cities will be made distribution point.
for cards OF this character.
Analysis OF the War Department.
statement regarding mobilization OF tn,
National Guard shows that equipmen
for all the force Is not expected to b,
ready until August. BY that time, how
ever, the redoubled output OF America,
factories will be able to furnish clothing
small arms and other equipment for tn,
selective army. to be assembled monti
/ later. a. well as for the full strength
/ of the regulars and the guard.
I During the interval between the mobl
ization Of the guard and regulars an,
the calling to the colors OF the first 500.
, 900 OF the selective army. force O
!, 100000 officers and non-commissipne,