Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-07-21
THE DRAFT COMPLETE
From the a

From the ranks Of civil life more than half a million
men have been selected to serve in the armies of their
country. No drafting of men for military service was ever
before performed on such a scale or In such a short time.
OF course preparations for the draft have been unaer
way for weeks. SO that the actual drawing was but the
culminatton Of what had been done before. But in the
space Of a single day enough men have been selected so
that when all exemptions are allowed and all eliminations
on account Of physical impersection have been made.
there will remain $4,000 men ready for instant service.
It Is reported that the German authorities have been
greatly ohasrined by the arrival Of the first contingent OF
American soldiers to take part in the war, as it had not
been. expected that any American soldiers would be in
Darope for months, Our first contingent is a small one,
but it Is large enough. and 1t was sent promptly enough
to demonstrate to the Germans that the United States
means business. The drafted men cannot be transported
Tor some time, as 1t will be necessary to put them through
a course Of training before they leave. But It is UNDER
stood that the training to be given will be of the most in
tsnsive kind. and 1t will be speeded UP so as to make pos
sible the transportation of the National army within a
very short time. It is not expected that these troops will
actually take part In the military work across the ocean
for some little time after their arrival, for additional
training will be necessary. But that training will be right
within the war area and under any conditions, the Ger
mans will have to make UP their minds to do business
with another half million soldiers within a very few
months.
Preparations for the draft were delayed BY lack of
promptness in a few states. In most of the North Dako-
ia counties the organisation work was perfected in ample
time, but In a few cases the authorities seem to have BETH
confused. or have been diliatory.
In the computations preparatory to the draft the au-
thoriaes started out to raise $4,000 men. These, with
the 4o6,ss6 men already In the regular army and nation
al suard make a total of 1~,1b2,s85. To each state was
apportioned it's quota of this total, and allowance was
made In each case for the number Of men who had enlist
ed from the state in either Of the military branches. North
Dakota was required to supply 1897 men all told. OF
these, 2.1ls had already enlisted. leaving 5000 to be rails
ed by draft.
New York. being the most populous state, naturally
supplies moro men than any other state. She win send
es,24a new men. and she has already 62.s71 in the SER
vice. Oregon. with a population slightly less than that
OF North Dakota, is listed for 1887 men of all classes,
but she has already 6.657 In service, hence is required TO
raise only TIT men by draft This is the smallest number
to be raised by draft from any one Of the organized states.
OF the territories. Hawaii is in the peculiar position of not
being required to supply any men by draft, as she has
already in the service more than her required quota Her
assessment is for 2,403 men, and she has 4.397 in the SER
vice. No other state or territory is In a like situation.
Alaska is assessed ITO men. and as she has but Is men in
the regular army and none In the national guard, her
draft number is es6.