Evening times-Republican., 1917-05-21
National Guard Not to Be
Increased Except Under
Approved Plans.
NOW DEFICIENT IN
SPECIAL BRANCHES
State Troops Short Of Artillery, Ensi.
neer, Signal and Other Required
Units Which Can BE Utiiizsd-Gen.
eraII staff Officers Being picked For
Service in cantonments and in Eu.
Srope-Age Limit Raised.

against attempt to organize new units
in any state for the national guard
which are not in accord with the plans
approved, by President Wilson was
given today by the war department.
AS it stands the guard is deficient
in artillery, signal, engineer and other
special service troops in proportion to
the number of infantry regiments.
Specific instructions have been given
to the adjutant general as to the units
of each arm Of, the service to which
each state will be held responsible,
Iand in this connection the depart
ment's statement says:
notwithstanding such action some
states have undertaken the organiza-
ton Of units which can not be utilized.
While 1t Is desired to take advantage
Of this patriotic interest such advan-
tage can como only thru co-ordinatton
and regulation in keeping With tho
general basic plan.
THE department requests that per-
sons interested in raising new national
guard units confer with the adjutant
what branch Of the service should be
augmented. 49,
piokino General staff.
"A board of general officers OF the
army headed by Brigadier- General
Herman, acting assistant chief OF STAFF.
was in session today selecting fifty;
majors and captains Of the line to be
designated for duty on the general
staff.
The army bill signed by the presi-
dent last week removes restriction up
on the number Of staff officers who
may be, kept in Washington.
Additional staff officers are neces-
sary in connection with the organiza-
ton Of the cantonment camps to be-
gin in July. when the national guard
is assembled. There will be thirty-two
camps and an officer of the general
staff will be assigned to each. 1t is
regarded that a number Of staff Of
ficers will be assigned to each. 1t is
regarded that q number of staff Of
flcers will be sent to the front in
France, to return after a few weeks
and aid in the compilation Of instruc-
ton manuals for troops.
Later as the forces in Europe are
increased general headquarters will
be necessary there with staff officers
attached.
Mine swespers to Be Built.
A considerable number Of mine
sweepers are to be added at once to
the naval establishment. Secretary
Daniels conferred today with private
builders for immediate turning out of
the ships.
Guards to Go Soon.
Approximately 100000 American SOL
diers will take part in the fighting in
France before the close of the 1917
operations, If the government is able
to carry out it's present Plans.
The division Of regulars under the
command Of Major General Pershing
will be in action before additional troops
are sent forward, and the solution Of
the problem of transportation in the
case Of this first contingent is expect
ed to make it possible to maintain !
steady stream of reinforcements by the
end Of the>summer.
It is not unlikely that n second d.
vision of the regular army will follow
the Pershing command. This will de-
pend upon the report on intensive
training facilities in France made by
General Pershing. Who, with his staff
will precede the first .expeditionary
force.
Guards Start in Fall.
The government contemplates be-
ginning to send national guardsmen to
Europe early in September. General
Mann, chief of the bureau Of militia
affairs, has advised the general stair
that many units Of the national guard
need only a month or six weeks OF