The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-02-15
camp M MCCLELLAN TO
BE TURNED into.
PLACEMENT DEPOT
In New Plan This Point
Will Be Selected to
Train the Artillery
Units Only

Washington, February 14.-Uses to
which several national army cnnton-
lBrpss. incfs ding Gxsnp MsCicflans 4 Ia
bana, Camp DIX, New Jerseyg Camp
Lee, Virginia, and Camp Meade, Mary
land, nre now put may be completely
changed when they are vacated by the
troops now under training IL a result
OF general staff studies of the handling
Of divisions scheduled for embnrkn-
ton for Europe and Of the training
of replacement troops.
Under the plan which has met with
approval among officers familiar with
the problem, the whole system OF divis-
ional depot brigades to handle replace
ment troops would be abandoned. In
stead full division each OF infantry and
artillery Professionally organized for
training purposes. would be assembled
at two cantonments and all drafts OF
men to fill gaps in regiments at the front
would go forward from these two central
depots. Similar replacement forces for
all signal corps troops, except the avia-
ton service, will be organized at an
other cantonment. A replacement can
Torment for the engineers is now being
constructed at Belvoir, Va, near this
city.
AS to the embarkation, 1t has been de-
cided that two additional embarkation
camps must be provided. Camps Dix
and Lee may be selected for this purpose.
Under present embarkation arrange
ments, an outbreak OF disease at the con-
centration camps to which troops are
sent before they go aboard ship might
result in quarantine and complete tie
up Of the flow of men to France. With
two additional camps available. there
would be little likelihood Of such diff
Guilty.
In addition, troops could be held longer
at the embarkation camps and while
there. old uniforms and equipment could
be taken up and replaced by the outfits
to be used in France, saving the issue
departments in Europe that work.
OVERCOME OBSTACLES
Creation OF replacement divisions for
line troops would overcome one of the
chief obstacles to training national army
officers that have been encountered. The
transfer Of national army troops from
present depot brigades to regular divis-
ions and tho withdrawal OF many men
fitted for assignment to technical units
for which General Pershing has called,
has greatly hampered training. In some
cases the enlisted personnel Of national
army units has changed completely two
or three times within the last few
months.
Camp Mcclellan would be selected for
the artillery replacement division. There
is new artillery range in that vicinity
and continuous training with the guns
could be carried on there.
It has been suggested that the in
fantry replacement division might be
located at Camp Meade. although that
!cantonment might be found Ia Be more
susceptible for the signal corps and some
other replacement units The aviation
service must continue to be filled from
the existing or more aviation fields
and camps, supplemented BY any new
fields established. The nature Of avia-
ton training prevents consolidation IN a
single cantonment, II u thought
TECHNICAL UNITS
The new questoinnaire method Of the
selective service obviates the difficulties
heTatofofs experienced n fitting e.;;; FOR
technical units. Such men are now
called out directly BY the provost mar
shall general working through the local
boards Where the qualified men fail
to enlist voluntarily in sufficient num-
bers. they can be drafted without delay.
Drafts At casuals are now sent forward
regularly to fill gaps In regiments in
France caused by casualties. sickness or
Mransfer. Under the new plan. replace
|Went detachments would be made up at
Ihe cantonment Of the replacement diyis-
In as needed, all surplus troops being
|cfncentrnted there far training and thus
sfoiding the necessity o. sanding forward
rAw recruits