The sun., 1918-06-28
WILSON'S0WN
MEASURE T0BE
SWEEPING ONE
Opposition to Change in
Draft Age Limits Due to
Larger Scheme.
EXPERTS FRAME BILL
Congress Leaders Said to Have
Been Unaware Of Presidents
New Attitude.

WASHINGTON. June 27.-The reason
back of the War Departments an
nounced opposition for the present to
changes in the draft age limits is the
conversion OF President Wilson to the
support Of plans for the establishment
OF universal military training In the
United States.
This became known in the Senate to-
day. although no mention of the Presi-
dents change Of base was made upon
the floor and the debate over the Fan
amendment to the army appropriation
bill changing the age limits from 81 to
81 to from IS to As. continued until the
conclusion Of to-day's session without
vote being reached.
The War Department months ago con-
Quoted an investigation Of vital statis-
tics regarding the man power OF the
United States with a view to formula
ton Of draft legislation and TO the pos
sible incorporation in such legislation
OF provision for the establishment OF a
system Of universal military training.
why President Changed Front.
The results Of its deliberations and
the conclusions Of the group OF experts
who worked on this important assign
ment have never been brought 10 light.
Senatorial seekers after the report Of
the investigators have failed repeatedly
to obtain satisfaction OF the War De-
parment.
Very recently President Wilson came
70 the opinion that In the framing Of
new legislation dealing with the select!ve
draft law Il would be necessary to pre-
pare a measure which would take into
consideration not only the present war
exigency but the postwar period Of in
ternational readtustment-
Although heretofore q consistent II
not publicly announced opponent OF uni
versal service, the President has let II be
known to close friends that in his opin-
ION something must be done to provide
for regular and established fixed an
nual increment OF soldiers for the army
Of the United States. at least for the
period in which the world distraught and
IN turmoil after the war shall be read
;usting itself to meet the stupendous al
,eration which political maps and bound
AIRY lines have undergone.
war Needs for Years to Come.
The President has realized that war
meas will repeal themselves with
the ending Of hostilities and the pro-
mitigation Of peace. and yet nominal
,eace may not be free from the menace
OF possibly resumed strife to preserve
world law and world order. and that the
nation once out Of the war will have
duties to perform which will require at
For fra mi
tation into a fighting force for years to
come
This change Of position the President
related to close friends several weeks
ago. He has not taken the Senate into
his confidence nor are the men whom he
has made acquainted with his desires
members Of either house Of Congress.
The President will not send for the
Congressional leaders before the pres
.entation OF the War Departments new
plan for readjusting age limits under
the draft law. but when the plan
energies from the hands of the experts
now engaged In framing 1t 1t will be
sent to Congress as a concrete plan out
Of which necessary legislation to put 1t
into effect may be drafted into law.
The President desires that the pro-
posed universal military training plan
shall be his own. When 1t Is finished
and ready for presentation In Congress
II will be. II his wishes are followed, an
Administration measure for which the
Administration and net any legislators
previously active in the cause Of uni
Nersal military training will figure.
May Need 100000 Men.
Debate on the Fall amendment to tie
tuel'c billion dollar army appropriation
bill, providing for extension OF the draft
ages TO 20 and 40 years. was resumed
In the Senate to-day.
Senators Reed of Missouri. Democratic
member OF the Senate Military Commit
tee; Lodge Of Massachusetts and Cum
mins OF Iowa. IN urging upon the Sem
ate the necessity for immediate extern
sion Of the draft ages. challenged the
opinion Of Secretary Baker and Gen.
March Chief Of stan. that the legisla-
tion IL not needed at this time. The
Missouri Senator. however. said he
would bow to the decision OF the War
Department officials.
Before We are through with this war
we Will have to put fve TO seven mil
lion troops In Europe. ! think" contin-
ued Senator Reed. Bachelors OF 80 to
40 should be called before the married
men Of 81 to So"