Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-04-08
First Year of War to Be Given
Over to Rigid Training, and
Selection of Officers Is to
Be for Merit Only,
SELECTlVE DRAFT Is
REGARDED ESSENTIAL
Men Are to Be Taken Into Ser
vice on Basis of FitneSSi
Steel Helmets, Gas Protec-
tors and GrenadeS Ordered,
tsr MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED wissl

Washington, April THE admin
istration took before congress today
its plea that the war army be organiz-
ed along the lines laid down by the
general staff, after an exhaustive
study, as meeting the demands of
sound military principle.
At an executive session of the house
military committee, Secretary Baker,
speaking for the executive branch of
the government charged with prose-
cution of the war, made an earnest
appeal for quick passage of the war
department bill providing for the
training of an army of a million men,
raised by selective conscription, with
in the next year.
OppoSpt 10 Draft.
Several members of the committee
questioned the secretary closely re-
garding the bill, but the only outward
show of opposition to the administra-
ton plan was an announcement to-
night by Representative Anthony If
Kansas, a republican. that he would
not support compulsory service.
Detailed consideration of the meas
ure will be taken up Monday when
Mr.. Baker, supported by Major Cen
eral Scott, 'chlef of staff; Judge Advo-
cate General Crowder and other high
officers will outline the plan for rails
ing the army Of million in year, to
be followed up at an accelerated rate
by the training of as many more as
10
emnly assured the committee today
that it was the judgment of the en-
tire military arm of the government,
of himself and of President Wilson,
that to accomplish this purpose con-
Scription must be applied from the
very outset.
Against Volunteer Units.
Members of the committee suggest
ed various methods of providing an
army by voluntary service and Mr.
Baker pointed out that ample pro-
vision was made in the administration
bill for absorption of all volunteers
of suitable age and physical qualifi-
cations in the first elements of the
army to be raised, the regulars and
the national guard. He indicated the
face of the administration was set
firmly against any proposal to enlist
volunteer organizations as units.
There is no place in a modern army,
he insisted for such forces.
Must Be Well Trained.
When committee members pointed
out that many men were, offering their
services, provided they could goI
quickly to European battle fields, the
secretary replied that the plans OF
the department were designed to train
an army no element of which would
be considered ready for actual con-
flict within year. Members took
his statements as indicating the mill
tary experts of the government viT-
tually are unanimous on that point
1t was made clear, however, that
with state of war existing, absolute
jurisdiction over the use to which the |
armed forces will be put lies with the
commander-in- chief, the president, |
Under the constitution he must de- |
termine what military policy is die !
tated by the needs of the military sit !
uation that confronts him.
Great Military School First.
The secretary made 1t plain that the |
administration regards its immediate |
task as that of creating a great mill |
tary school for the training of Off
GERS and men who in turn will train |
the half million increments of Sc
lective conscripts to be. called later. |
Every man will be given an oppor- !
tunity to show his worth in this pre-
liminary force, it was stated, but the
administration is resolved that only
those who shall demonstrate their !
fitness shall retain their commissions
or be passed on to officer the new
armies.
A rigid process of selection is to be
applied during the preliminary
Modern Equipment Needed.
There was no discussion of the
s3, 600, 100000 army budget which
has been submitted, but at the war
department. preparations were hurried
along to fit the new armies with all
appliances of modern warfare. Types
Of trench helmets, gas masks and |
other new devices have been adopted
and tentative arraDgements made for
their manufacture in large quantities.
Orders have been placed for hand
grenades In million lots
In announcing his opposition to the
feature of the admin
bill, Representative Anthony
said tonight he would offer an
amendment providing for raising a
volunteer army Of $4,000. u