The Mena weekly star., 1918-09-05
PRESIDENT SIGNED
 NAN-POWER BILL
e.ts Thursday, September 12, as Date for Registration of All Men in United States of Ages IS
 to 45 Inclusive

prssi5ent Wilson as the date for reg ;s.vst;on for the army draft, for all -.o in the United States between the .vss of IS and 45 inclusive, who have nat already registered or who are not now in military or naval service. The President signed the man power bill yesterday afternoon.
 Tn a proclamation issued immediate lv after he signed the new man-power hill. authorizing extension of the 2l-31 draft ages, the President called on the younger and older men to enroll on that day with local draft boards where they make their permanent homes.
 aWe solemnly purpose decisive victory of arms" said the President, aand deliberately to devote the larger mart of the military man power of the nation to the accomplishment of that nurpose. It is the call to duty to which every true man in the country viii respond with pride and with the consciousness that in doing so he plays his part in vindication of a great cause at whose summons every true heart offers it's supreme service" "
 The hours for registration will be from 2 a. m. to g p. m, and all state and local officials are called on to make immediate arrangements for maintenance of registration places on that day. nFN tNfi
 All men within the new ages, whether citizens of the United States or not, must register, unless they are diplomatic or consular representa- tives of foreign countries.
 In case of illness on the registration day, arrangements for tardy enroll nent may be made with local boards and men who expect to be absent from their homes may register by mail, sufficiently in advance that the registration record reaches the board by September 12, and those out of the country on that day are required to enroll within five days after their return.
 To Educate Minors.
 At least 13,o00,0a) men will place themselves subject to call for var service under the new registration, it ! is estimated, altho only those without dependents, in good health and other wise qualified for arduous duties of soldier life are to be taken first.
 Youths in their 18th year will be placed in a separate group, the war department has announced, to be sub ject to a special educational program and will not be called until the supply of other available men in the new classes is exhausted
 This does not mean that their call ing will be long deferred, however, in Asmuch as it has been announced that all men in the new registration ae- cepted for general service will be un- der arms by June 30, 1919. The man. power bill makes no specific provision for separate classification of t8-year- old boys and war department plans for their treatment have been made on executive initiative.
 Although the "work CT fight" clause, which would have affected striking rorkmen, was taken out of the bill before passage yesterday, Provost Marshal General Crowder has planned so apply vigorously existing regula- lions relating to idle men or those en- ' gagged in non-essential employment to the newly registered men.
 Not g New Policy.
 After citing the law and stating the regulations for registration the Pres dents proclamation reads as follows:
 Fifteen months ago the men of the country from 21 to Sl years of age ' were registered. Three months ago again this month those who had just reached the age of 21 were added. It now remains to. include all men be- tween the ages of IS and 45. This is not a new policy. A cen- tury and quarter ago it was delib- :. erately ordained by those who were then responsible for the safety and defense of the nation that the duty ot military service should rest upon all able-bodied men between the ages { ot Is and 45. We now accept and full nil the obligation which they estab- { hshed, an obligation expressed in our l national statutes from that time until ( now. We solemnly purpose to devote , the larger part of the military man 1 power of the nation to the accom- hshment of that purpose.
 The younger men have from the, l first been ready to go. They have furnished voluntary enlistments out of l, all proportion to their numbers. Our z military authorities regard them as | having the highest eombatant quail | ties. Their useful enthusiasm, their | Vlrlle eagerness, their gallant spirit { oi daring make them the admiration of all who see them in action. They eovet not only the distinction of serv- sng m this great war, but also inspir- ing memories which hundreds of thousands of them will cherish thru 'he years to come, of a great day and 3 great service for their country and for mankind.
 By the ner of the older group now caiied upon, the opportunity, now opened to them. will be accepted, with she eelm resolution of those who real lze te the full ff'ssiii. the deep and solemn slgnihcance of what they do. Having nlade place for themselves in their fpEnarffxs, s1s |