Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-09-27
$4,000 MEN ARE
NOT SUFFICIENT
Evident Now That More Will Be
Required to Perfect Army
Plans.
PERHAPS ANOTHER CALL.
Guard and Special Service Forces
Brought Ia Strength VIII Leave
Deficiency in National Army.

Washington. Sept. 26-There is little
doubt now that a large deficiency of men
will be shown when the first increment
of the national army of $4,000 men has
been mobilized.
Seventeen National Guard divisions must
be brought up to war strength and several
special service forces organized out of
this reservoir. SO the number of drafted
men remaining at the cantonments hardly
will be sufficient to organize the sixteen
national army divisions at full strength
basis. Whether incomplete divisions will
be formed or whether call for more
men will be issued has not been indicated.
Secretary Baker said to-day that
definite figures as to the number of ma
tional army men it would be necessary to
transfer to the National Guard were not
available. A dual process Of organization
at the guard encampments serves to de-
lay complete reports. Not only are these
divisions being mobilize for the first
time, but in the midst & nat mobilza-
tion the whole fabric of ta, lfantry army
Is being reorganized on new trench
warfare plan.
The fighting strength of the new division
Is now fixed at 1880 men. The II guard
divisions on that basis will have total
strength of 437.5OO men.
The guard probably brought into the
federal service a total of not more
than 100000 men possibly less. 1t will
take therefore at least $4,000 national
army men to fill up the guard divis-
ions. Another 100000 Of the national
army will go to the air service and
certainly as many more to other spe-
cial services that would leave not
more than 100000 men to form the 16
national army divisions which should
have an aggregate war strength Of
$4,000.
Secretary Baker pointed out to-day
some Of the difficulties that attend
the reorganization of the National
Guard for war purposes. While the Is
division plan for the guard since ex-
tended to II with the organization Of
the 42nd. or rainbow division. is an
old one. the whole fabric Of the divis-
sions has been changed. With the
adoption Of the European regimental
and company standards, every guard
regiment. which was to be included
in a division had to be expanded.
Regiments and parts of regiments are
heing consolidated to furnish the
$500 men regtmental units now de-
sired.
In making these consultations, the de-
partment is attempting to keep the forces
as much localized possible. The same
practice will be followed in assigning men
! from the National army to National
Guard units. Wherever practical Nation
al army men will go to regiments from
their own States. in line with the spirit of
the war army bill which lays stress on
localization of regiments. There are many
cases. however, where the practice will
have to be abandoned to meet military
necessities.
| The guard consolidation has brought on
the department a new source of trouble.
Numerous colonels and regimental STATS
Of the guard are certain to be left without
commands. since the number Of regiments
has been reduced. This has already proven
a fruitful source of protest from State Off
cials. The policy Of the department, it is
said. will be to find places for such guard
officers in other forces as far as possible
and desirable.