New-York tribune., 1917-07-18

total population, thus excluding aliens
from the totals upon which apportion-
ments are made. Mr.. Dent said tina,
If the Secretary approved, his commit
tee probably would report the bill
favorably.
At the War Department there has
been no indication whether either OF
these proposals will have the backing
OF the Administration. Apportionment
officials let il be known to-day, how
ever. that they fully expected COM
plants of unfair treatment OF cities
and towns having comparatively small
American populations. and large pro-
portions OF aliens not subject 70 draft,
though registered. There seemed 70 be
no way to meet this complaint under
existing law. the officials said.
Aliens as n rule have been regarded
as exempt from military service in
countries whore they reside, and no
government has been more insistent
than that Of the United States upon
the exemption from service in Euro
pean armies Of Americans in Europe.
Many officials are known to hold the
conviction that 20 require aliens in
tho United States to serve would be
clearly violation Of international law
at least unless the State Department
secured permission from the foreign
governments concerned.
Draft May Be Delayed
Department officials feel that a dis
cussion in Congress Of the problem
may indefinitely postpone the raising
Of the National Army. The suggestion
therefore, has been made 10 some Of
the Senator'S interested that the pres
ent draft be allowed to proceed on the
basis planned. and that the question
Of corrections be thrashed out be-
tween now and the time Of the next
draft.
While officials Of the Provost Mar
shal's Office refused to-day to discuss
charges Of unfairness in allotment OF
quotas, made yesterday in the Senate
il was pointed out again that the re-
vised population estimates Of the Cen
sus Bureau. upOn which the allotment
was made, were based wholly on the
actual showing at the registration. IN
der the law. the bureau had to consider
the fuctuation Of population since 1910
the last census, and the War Depart
ment had to count in aliens in making
allotments, even though they are ex-
empt from service.
Plans May Be Changed
Detailed plans Of the drawing itself
remain TO be finally approved by Secre-
tsry Baker A rehearsal of the process
recommended was held some days ago
in order TO determine the amount OF
time necessary and TO develop any
weak spots in the scheme, but pending
its approval no details will be revealed.
There are indications that a more COM
plex arrangement than has yet been
outlined publicly will be employed IN
the drawing in the interest OF perfect
fairness.
As far as can be told now, every reg
istrant will have to be informed not
only of the serial number placed on his
card by the local exemption board. but
also of the exact number of registrants
in his district. Otherwise he Will be
unable to know until he is ordered be-
fore the board what his order OF liabil-
ity is.
Given his own number and the total
number of registrants in his district,
any registrant can figure out quickly
what place he occupies in the line as
soon as the results Of the lottery are
announced. II there are 1,50O reg
istered men. every serial number above
that will represent blank in that dis
trictwhen il is drawn. and the rotation
numbers of the drawing will pass them
over Thus. if No. laps should be
drawn first. No. 1,569 second and No.
1.247 third. the order Of the liability in
a 1,500 district would be No ,42S first
and No. ,247 second.