South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-04-13

on universal service, viii have been
enacted by that time. It has been
emphasized that the administration
war army bill is only an emergency
measure.
Stands Firm for Bill.
IT stand firmly and unalterably in
support of that BILL" Sec'y Baker
said, without modification of its
least detail"
Hearings on the bill continued be-
fore the house military committee
Thursday and il was decided to hear
the last witnesses Saturday. The ad-
ministration leaders hope TO have
consideration in the house under
way next week.
Following is a tabulation by the
war department of the forces pro-
posed to be organized in the bill, so
arranged as 10 show the exact num-
Der of volunteers. TO serve for the
duration Of the war only, for which
provision is made in both the regular
army and the national guard:
Regular army, exclusive of Philip
pine scouts
At war strength with all mere
ments added. 293. 900.
Present strength, 1S1, 4S1.
Volunteers required. 161,519.
National guard, including only
units now organized
At war strength, 329,954.
Present strength, 1913, sos.
Volunteers required, 206,349,
Additional
To replace 10000 officers and
men withdrawn from above force as
training personnel for first 100000
seIective conscripts. 10000.
Total number Of volunteers for
war service only, 517,S6S.
In addition to these figures the
discharge from the regular army
and national guard of men depen-
dent relatives and for other causes
will create additional vacancies
which will be filed by volunteers.
Discharged After War.
Under the law. the full enlist
mcvt requirements of six years in
the national guard and seven years
in the regular service, must be sign
ed by all men taken in TO either ser
vice. The pending bill provides speci-
fcally for duration of the war en-
listment contracts, but this cannot
be applied until congress acts. To
meet the immediate situation. the
secretary has directed that recruit
ing officers assure men accepted
during the emergency that the con-
tracts will not be enforced against
them: but that they will be honor
ably discharged at the close Of the
war.
Army officers believe there will
be no difficulty I'm obtaining many
men of some military experience
through the present plant They are
vitality necessary 10 the scheme. as
from the commissioned and enlisted
ranks Of the regulars and the guard.
10000 or 200, men must be
drawn within six months TO become
officers and non commissioned Of
ficers Of the first 500. 600 increment
OF the seIective draft army then to
be called TO the colOrs
The door Of promotion is wide
open 20 any man qualified 10 hold
a commission even up 10 the grade
OF general officer, for the places Of
the $4,000 officers alone 10 be with
drawn from the existing services
for training purposes will be filled
from the officers reserve corps. from
the ranks. or from the many officers
training camps 20 be established.
Oppose New Units.
The question Of taking in addi-
tionaI increments Of the national
guard beyond those already organ
lied has not been determined. There
are some reasons against such a
step. since the result would be mere
Is to increase the shortage of Off
GERS. Every new regiment created
means new officers and with the eX-
uansion OF the regular service 70
include all FIVE OF the annual In
crements provided for in the nation
al defense act. the capacity OF the
regular army 10 supply this need
will be exhausted. All officers for
other forces must be trained by
the regulars or guardsmen before
thu regiments can be assembled and
put under training.
During the day the war depart
ment called into the federal service
for police protection purposes nine
regiments. a separate battalion and
/ a separate company OF infantry and
seven ror1nanies OF coast artillery.