The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-15

The department mas planned to draft into federal service only exist ing units of the guard plus such auxiliary troops as might be needed. Twenty states have applied for per mission to raise new regiments, how ever, and Secretary Baker ordered a new study of the national defense act 10 determine whether the acceptance of new units up to the limits in the act was mandatory. Judge Advocate General Crowder took this view and his ruling was approved by the Secre- tary.
 LIMITING RULE MADE
 An effort to prevent immediate organi- zation of new regiments was made sim ultaneously, however. The governors were asked to see to it that the existing units were filled up to peace strength be- fore any new ones were organized. Short age of equipment prevents the immediate acceptance of such new regiments as the department has not had appropriations for reserve supplies, and it will take from two to three months to provide for the forces which ma be organized under todays ruling. There are not enough supplies on hand to provide even for ex-
 sting units at war strength.
 Secretary Baker made it plain to Gov ernor Cox of Ohio and others that the war department would in no circum- stances accept skeleton organizations, but would require a reasonable full comple ment of officers and men for each new unit
 OFFICERS ARE NEEDED
 If the state forces were raised to full strength, the present total of more than 10000 National Guard officers would have to be expanded to more than 3O,000 to pro- vide the officer personnel for the full 12 National Guard divisions contemplated by the national defense act. The war de- partment has felt disinclined to add in this way to it's already heavy burden in finding and training officers for the war time armies that are to be raised.
 The Senate military committee today cleared the way for taking up the war army legislation Monday by completing consideration of war department amend ments to the present national defense act of the President Mir Dent, chairman of the military committee, as previously reported in The Age Herald, has agreed with the President to surrender his per sonal convictions if such a course proves necessary for harmony. Mir Oliver wou'd favor a S0-day period for volunteers. MT. Heflin favors the voiunteer-conscrlptlo idea MT. Blackmon, at present, IS 1n- clined to follow the recommendation of the House committee on military affairs MT. Bankhead opposed conscription MT Huddleston opposed the bill enacted last session which permitted the President to draft the National Guard into the service of the government on the ground or his conviction that such action would be tantamount to conscription. It is under stood that MT. Gray stands for conscrip- tion only as a last recourse. MT. Burnett and MT. Almon are generally understood to stand with the majority of their col leagues.
 Senator Underwood takes the position that irf the day of war, every man should yield his convictions and give the ad- III CndTSc Oi tIS SiludtiOl diiA responsible for results, everything it de- sires.
 POSITION OF UNDERWOOD
 State for me-, said the senator, that in the present emergency I stand with the President. and will vote to give him whatever he asks for. If the boys of the country are offering themselves as sac rifices on the field of battle, politicians can certainly afford to run risks. of their political lives.
 Prior to the declaration of war, op- posed at heart everything which thought would endanger the peace of the country. Now, however, inasmuch as we are in war I am of the opinion that we should strike as soon as possible, strike hard, and with our every resources.
 'The administration thinks that con soription will more promptly and ef- ficiently equip us to do our bit in the world war. Therefore, l would vote to authorize conscription.'
 The senator, however, does not oppose the volunteer plan. His position is simply that in an emergency as serious as war, a senator can afford to yield his convic- z Q