New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-12
Wilson Insists on
Army Plan for
Selective Draft
Tells House Leader Bill Must
Pass; 100000 Volunteers
To Be Called First

Washington, April ll.-President
Wilson, in a conference with Speaker
Champ Clark and Majority Leader
Kitchin at the Capitol to-day, insisted
on the terms of the Administration
plan for raising a large army on the
principle of selective draft.
At the same time, however, it was
learned that the War Department Writ
ually had decided on plans under which
opportunity would be given for approx
imatey 100000 men to volunteer for
service for the term of the war.
The net result of the new plans
would be to raise the National Guard
and regular army TO total of 124,OOO
men, to be organized first and inde-
pendently of the selective draft plan.
This would require half million vol
unteers. No attempt to enlist men TO
accomplish this will be made. however
until Congress has acted. and authority
is granted to enlist such volunteers Tor
the QuThliOn ol lHN Nol Nh'''
Sentiment Against Draft
The President talked for nearly AL
hour with Speaker Clark and Repre-
sentative Kitchin, and discussed the
Administration army plan in detail
making clear that it had been drawn
I'D only after the most thorough con
sideration at the War Department, and
after it had been decided that it was
the only way to meet the demand Tor
great and efficient fighting force.
Both Speaker Clark and Representa-
tive Kitchin told the President thai
much sentiment existed in Congress
against the plan, principally on Tho
ground that a draft should not be re
! sorted to until an effort had been made
to raise an army through volunteers.
Careful reconsideration Of the terms
of the existing national defence act Is
, responsible for a contemplated change
of the Administration policy in regard
to the mobilization of the National
C,iard for war. Officials now think
that the law grants the states the right
10 organize additional guard units ur
10 the full limit Of 500 men to Con
oressional district. If that view is sus
famed by army legal authorities. such
additional regiments as any state may
decide TO form will be recognized by
tho Federal government and be drafted
into the Federal service when that ac-
tion is taken with respect to units al
ready organized.
440.0OO Total for Guard
The effect of this change would be
N make il possible for the Nationa
Guard to have a full strength of 100000
enlisted men in the first element OF
the war time national army.
The department has decided, Secre
tarv Baker told the House Military
Committee during the day, to raise the
regular army Up to the full strength
prescribed by the national defence act
2s7 900. Immediately on the passage OF
the war organization bill by Congress
This means that three additional in
cremcnts, tot1lling approximately 17'
600 men, would be required. Many new
regiments would be formed by divid
inc existing regiments and filling each
half ND to full war regimental strength
Previously it had been thought wise
70 add only the 1918 increment, con-
servin- the capacity of the regular
establishment as training force. II
has been determined, however, that
three additional increments can be alb
sorbed without impairing seriously the
B - of
Pacifists Urge Exemptions
Secretary Baker pointed out that
mon who now enlist in either service
bind themselves to serve three years
I with the colors and three years in the
reserve Recruitment of the National
Guard beyond peace strength would not
he attempted, he said, until authorize
ton for the wartime volunteers was
granted.
During the day a committee headed
bv Jane Adams, of Chicago, called
on Secretary Baker TO discuss the eX-
emption clauses Of the Administration
army bill providing for the additional
forces TO be raised by selective draft
( Men who are affiliated with religious
societies which oppose war would be
exempted under the bill. The com
mittee urged that there arc individual
unconnected with any such sects
whose religious convictions also are
war and that these persons should be
accorded similar exemption.
The whole question of religious eX.
emption has been thoroughly discussed
before the House Committee by Mr.
Baker. and there is no indication that
the department will recommend any
change.