The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1917-07-05
PREPARATION FOR MOB
ILIZAiION OF ARMY
PRESIDENT Promulgates Regulations
To Govern Exemptions From Mill
tary Service-Every Exemption

IN Govern Exemptions From Mill
tary Service-Every Exemption
Must be Made on Individual Merit
Preparation for the mobilization of
the first contingent of 625,OO0 troops j
Of the new national army advanced
another step Monday when President
Wilson promulgated the regulations
TO govern exemptions from military
service. In the order in which they
must come, there are three steps in
the organization process of the ma
tional army as prescribed by Con-
gress. They are registration, selec-
ton and exemption. The first step
has been carried through. The reg
ulations issued today cover in detail
the operation of the third step, ex-
emptlon.
Information concerning the second
step in the series is still lacking and
officials are guarding closely the
method by which selection is to be
applied.
The exemption regulations an,
nounced that the boards would be ad-
yised of the selection process later,
although none of the steps prescribed
except the organization of the boards
can be carried on until the selection
machinery has furnished the names
of the men of whose fitness and de-
STABILITY for army service the boards
are to Judge. There is one hint as
to how the selection machinery is to
work. The local boards are directed
upon organization to take over from
the registration precincts the cards
and lists of the men registered on
June 5, and as their first duty to
provide a serial number for each reg
istration card. This has given sup
port to the belief that the selection
is to be by number. Reports were
current recently that the selection
drawing was to be made in Washing
ton.
Presumably the process of selec-
ton will be announced only short
time before it is put in operation.
When that will be is not known
September l has been the tentative
date set for calling the 625, 900 OF the
first contingent to the colors fto1
training. Progress with construction
of the 16 cantonments for the troops
will govern the action. 1t is believed
there will be no serious delay.
The exemntion process will mo-
take a great deal of time. 1t is diff
ficult to calculate the time the loca
boards will need in passing on tn
cases that come before them. Ih'
regulations provide that decision II
any individual case shall not be de
Iaved more than three days by tn
local board or an additional five DAY
where appeal is taken to the dlstrlc
boards. The whole process probaoi'
can be carried through in less tha1
There were no surprises in the ex
amntion regulations. The task Q
nassino upon the individual cases l,
left entirely to the local boards. VIM
the President reserves the right
DESIGNATE industries necessary Tor On
nnhIic good, the question of whetne
retention of any Individual engage:
- these industries is essentlal
left to the boards. ,.:
While these steps are belng carlle
ont for getting together the men
the national army, the war depall
ment is making progress WITH u
even more difficult task OF fln 10
officers for the force. Part OF tne:
will come from the 10 olLloeto
inc camps. The first 1O,OoO Oh II
10000 men at the camps will be :. S
lected for commissions in the 1lf
increment of the new army. mat
less than half the number Of o1Ilce
necessary. The war department d
proved today recommendations
commanders of regular regimen
which will commission 5000 or mo
regular non-commissioned officers.
be- captains or lieutenants in the III IN
$4,000 of the national army. 1t
understood that more than oo m
from each regiment, in addition
those now at the officers tram
camps will be given commlSslo
for the period of the war.
A trained and experienced regu
officer of the army will comma
each regiment. He will have seve
other officers experienced in part
ular lines to aid, such as his adjuta
at least one major, his ordnance
ouartermaster officers and some
ers. The remainder of the ottlc
will come from the reserve. lists:
raining camps or the ranks Oh
regular service.
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