The sun., 1917-03-25
Tentative Scheme Includes
Sending ExpeditiOnary
Force to France.
TROOPS TO PROTECT
MEXICAN BORDER
National Guard to Be
Brought Up to Maximum
Strength.
100000 VOLUNTEERS
ALSO TO BE RAISED
Army Officers Think Draft
System May Become
Necessary.

'"S'' pians Tor the army are more
lar reaching and elaborate than generally
realized. according TO General staff
oi1cers who are in a position to predict
WIN some degree of accuracy. 1t can
oe stated mat the general programme
"hich the President is now considering
includes the following salient features:
The Immediate raising OF a volun-
teer army OF 100000 men, bringing of
the National Guard up to its maxi
mum strength. taking into the regular
army without delay the second incre-
ment of army reserve. thereby raising
the military strength to l,OS5,00O.
Employment of the regulars and the
National Guard to take care of the
situation at home.
Concentration of force OH the
Southern border to meet possible Ger
man intrigues via Mexico.
Possibly an early despatch OF a
small force to France in order that
this Government may. for sentimental
reasons. be represented ION the field
of honor"
Army OF 100000.
Consideration Of further measures
destined to bring the army up 20 greatly
Increased strength will undoubtedly fol-
low almost Immediately after a formal
declaration that a state Of war exists.
But the army will first take steps to
meet the immediate situation. General
stan officers express the belief that the
United States army may number up
ward of 100000 within the next two
Years If the war follows Its expected
course and Germany is able 10 maintain
its boast that 1t can fight the world
and still maintain its military su-
premacy.
Army officers do not disguise theiy
prevalent belief that the Government
mus. sooner or later resort to the draft
system to bring the military strength
OF the country up to Its necessary
standing The President and Secretary
Baker are known 10 prefer the volun-
teer system so long as results can be
obtained by 1t. and IL is certain that the
volunteer system will have AN extensive
trial before more drastic measures are
thought Of.
General STAFF oficers are unanimous
in the belief that a strong force must
be concentrated near the Mexican bor-
der the moment hoetilities begin. The
German plot to embroil Mexico in war
with the United States has made a
deep impression in army circles and
tho suspicion that German agents and
German reservis:s in Mexico will start
trouble Ia very general. The belief ~
that Germans will AT once seek 70 cause
trouble on the Mexican border In the
hope oe embroiiing the Mexican Govern
rnent In difficulties with the United
States and thereby aiding the German
plans
West Point Factor.
Secretary Baker and MaJor-Gen Hugh
l.. Scott, Chief of STAFF are considering
tho advisability Of graduating the first
class at West Point ahead OF time. If
the West Point class Is graduated now
Il will provide an addition OF young
officers badly needed at once.
Mr.. Baker has somewhat delayed de-
clsion on this point because the West
Pointers would take precedence over
probably 400 OF 500 officers appointed
from civil l!fr. the enlisted force and
the National Guard because those who
are appointed aa result of the Janu-
ary examinations will not he commits
stoned until May |. But Mr. Bakers
objection concerns merely this technical
ity and will probably not be maintained
The president Is understood 20 feel tina,
this Is a time for going ahead and not
for ra'e'ng .echnicaI distractions.
Recruiting in the army now Is proceed.
ing along scheduled lines, but the army
is still short about 10000 mon IN It's
present authorized enlisted strength
During the last two months more than
8 GOO recruits have been accepted. and
In February there was net gain OF
$500.
ArmOred Motor Cars.
Some OF the lessons learned by the
army IN the recent Mexican campaign
are TO be utilized as soon as funds are
forthcoming. As Il result of the expert
ence with armored motor cars In Texas
Mexico and elsewhere the Bureau OF
ARMY Ordnance has prepared tentative
standard spec lications as basis for ac-
oulremcnt OF n number OF these, The
outfi. prescribed IL Of the medium weight
type. the total weight OF the car com.
pletely equipped with oil, gasolene and
water and including guns and ammuni.
tion not TO ex6eed $500 pounds.
Each motor car will mount one ma.
chine gun in a revolving turret about
thirty-eight inches In diameter. Provi
sion will be made in the car for carrying
| one extra gun and three spare barrels
The car body will have sufficient capac
ity to accommodate three men. not less
| than 5000 rounds OF ammunition IN belt.
or magazines and will permit the con
enient operation of the gun at all angles
Three tanks with n total capacity o.
thirty gallons Of gas0lsne will be places
ON each car.