The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-17
10000 Men May Be Trained
There This Summer.
Washington Dispatches Indi-
seate Plans of Government.
TO USE EVERY FOOT OF GROUND
Mobilize Troops of Several
States on Kansas Soil.
First Steps Expected To Be
Taken in Short Time.

Fort Riley is to be the center of
military activity in the midwest ac-
cording to informatio in national
guard circles, based on reports from
Washington. One dispatch from
Washington this week indicated that
10000 men might be trained at Fort
Riley during the coming summer and
fall. The enormous mobilization of
troops at the Kansas military camp
may. be in two separate and distinct
consignments.
All available space at Fort Riley
will be used by the government ac
cording to plans now under considera-
ton. A maximum of probably $4,000
men can be handled at Riley at one
time, according to estimates by army
officers. 1t is hardly probable, tho,
that more than 10000 men will be sta
toned at the fort at one time. A plan
which may receive favorable consid-
Grafton by the federal government
would call for mobilization of $4,000
men late in July or early in August,
with mobilization of an equal number
of men later in the fall Troops from
a number of western states may be
stationed at Fort Riley under the
plans now believed to be under con-
Use Every Foot of Ground.
In order to handle the large number
of troops it is believed that the federal
government will utilize every foot of
the 10000 acres of land at the fort.
This plan would call for the encamp-
ment of men on Pawnee, Republican
and Ogden flats. The capacity of the
fort is estimated at from 10000 to
sc, 900 men. by handling the federal
troops under two separate orders, 3d.
900 men could be readily accommo
dated under each call.
Several thousand regular soldiers
will be sent to Fort Riley under plan
outlined by various army officers. In
addition to the regulars would be
thousands of national guardsmen,
placed in the regular service under
the call of President Wilson, following
the signing of the conScription bill. All
of the national guard units would be
recruited to full war strength. Regi-
ments from Kansas, Missouri, Colo
RADIO, Nebraska and other states would
doubtless be ordered to Fort Riley
under the plans as outlined
Plans for the mobilization are out
lined in a dispatch from Washington
which says:
Mobilization Plans.
"Approximately G,000 regulars and
new recruits for the regular army will
be modified at Fort Riley, Kan, under
the orders of the war department de-
failing the plans for expanding the
regular army to its full war strength
of 100000 effectives."
Under the order fifteen mobilization
and training CAMPS are to be used by
the federal government. 1t is the gov
ernment's latest move in the crganiza-
ton of an army of a million and a
half men within the next year. The
first step was taken in the establish
ment of training schools for officers.
schools are to be converted into mo-
bilization centers for trairing sol
diers in the federal service. Adop-
ton of the plan means that Fort Riley
will be made one of the most active
mobilization camps in the nation.
Central Dept Gets Six Camps.
One camp will be located in the
northeastern, four in the eastern, six
in the central, six in the southern and
three in the western department.