Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-10
War College Statement.

War College Statement.
Under existing laws and under CO.
temporaneous conditions herewith
says the War College. "ft has hereto
fore been assumed that in the event of
a war with a frst-class power the
United States would require not less
than half n million men for the first
line behind which could be prepared
the greater army of citizen soldiers
upon whom our main reliance for ma
tional defense is conditionally placed
The organization of volunteer armies
only be undertaken following the
presidential proclamation stating the
number needed. and on this subject the
War College says:
Volunteer forces may be raised. or
Eanized and maintained only during the
existence or imminence of war. and only
after Congress shall have authorized
the President to raise such forces. Con-
gress could, however, by legislative
enactment authorize the President to
raise such forces in time of peace.
When so authorized the President
will issue his proclamation. stating the
number Of men desired for each arm,
corps or department, within such limits
as may be fixed by law. 1t is probable
that the proclamation will also recite
the causes tiIat make the call neceS-
sary, and will state that the enlisted
men shall be taken. as far as practi-
tories and the District of Columbia in
proportion to the respective popula-
tions thereof.
Provisions of the Law.
THE volunteer law provides that at
the termination of the war. upon the
passing of the imminence thereof, the
President will issue a proclamation re-
citing that fact, and as soon as practi-
cable thereafter all officers and enlisted
of such service.
Following the call of the President
for volunteers, the Secretary OF War
notifies the governors. etc, as in a call
for militia, informing them of the quota
for their respective states. the existing
militia organizations that will be re-
ceived into the volunteers. the new or
CARNATIONS that 1t is desired to raise
and the maximum and minimum
strength Of organizations.
1T VIII obviously be fmpracticable to
apportion volunteers exactly according to
population if all the militia volunteer, for
many of the smaller states have organ
izations which. if brought to war strength.
would exceed their quota under a call
for 100000 men,
All terms of enlistments. it is pointed
out will be the same as that for the
regular army. exclusive of reserve
PERIODS. and no person can be enlisted
for the volunteer forces who is not effec-
tive and abie-bodied." and who is not
within the ages stipulated for that service
under the law as it exists at the time of
the Presidents call Neither can any
man be enlisted who does not speak the
English language, while persons under
eighteen years of age can be accepted
only with the signed approval and con-
sent of the parent or guardian of that
person.
The pay of officers and enlisted men in
the volunteer service will be the same
as that of the corresponding grades in
the regular establishment and the volun-
teer forces ARE subject to the laws.
orders. and regulations governing the
regular army" in SO far as those laws
and regulations are applicable ito officers
and enlisted men whose permanent reten-
ZION in the military service either on the
active or retired list. is not contemplated
by existing law"
Will Allow No Distinction.