Evening journal., 1918-02-16
DRAFT $4,000
MEN This SUMNER
Those Who Have Become
2l in Last Year Likely
TO be Included
100000 NOW IN
UNITED STATES ARMY


WASHINGTON. Feb. i6.-New insight
into the plans OF the War Depart
ment for conducting its part Of the
war was afforded in a statement made
yesterday by Secretary Baker before
the house committee on Military af-
fairs. The evidence b ought out re-
vealed these principal facts:
The next draft will not be called
until May and probably not until June
next, when 10000 additional men will
be certified for service in the national
army.
The calls for these men will be
governed by the capacity Of the can
tonments.
The provost marshal general in
charge Of raising the national army
desires 70 disregard the existing plan
for the appo tionlng Of men called
from the various States and asks FOR
power to call any number from any
state.
General Cfowder desires also to have
included in the next draft men who
have become q years Of age since TIRE
general regist' alton last June.
The War Department Is without
definite estimates Of the number OF
men who will be in France this yesr
The army now has more officers
than are necessary for its present
strength.
Army appropriations for six months
at a time may be provided, instead
OF one year. as at present, owing "a
the uncertainty.
Secretary Baker unhesitatingly told
the committee that the next draft
would not be called 10 the colos be
fore next May, and after discussion
with some members Of the committee
ag-eed that deferring it until June
might be wiser There was strone
indlcstlon that this plan would be
adopted.
Representative shellenberger ,Neb )
obtained the admission from the Secre-
tary that due to the pollcy Of Provost
Marshal General Crowder in trying to
obtain the required number Of men
from among the registrants who have
no dependents the majority Of the men
for the national army would come
from country districts. Planting OF
corn and wheat crops in April AND
May might be seriously impeded by
drawing this labor away from the
farming districts, Mr. ShellenbergeI
said and might result 10 a short crop
This fact Mr.. Baker promised to take
under serious consideration" In plan
ming for the call.
The men certified for service under
the next draft, Mr.. Baker said, would
he called 10 service In incremenis as
the sixteen National Army cantonment'
are ready to receive them The rapid
itv with which they are called depends
entirely on how fast the men now
trained can be transported to France
lie deprecated the suggestion that sew
eral million men be trained and ready
20 90 because Il would not have even
a moral erect on Germany. as that na-
non Is aware OF the inability Of the
limited states 10 ship that number OF
men 10 Europe at short notice and keeI
them supplied before the ship building
programme is far more advanced than
10 Is now.
Cen. Crowder, IN order to MI the
ranks OF the National Army, desires 70
be empowered by law TO disregard inc
fact that each State Is to be called on
for a percentage Of the total troops
needed In the proportion TO It's total
reg 'stration This the committee is IN
olined 10 frown upon, but will grant i
II Mr.. Baker can give proof OF its need
The committee indicated its disap-
nroval also Of the suggestion that mer
who have reached II since last June
when the general registration OF every
one in the country between p and 81
wears occurred 70 was admitted that
This dIsanproval was based largely on
The sentiment against placing extreme
Young manhood on the firms line. II
was pointed out TO the committee, how
ever. that when they reach the age ol
manhood these youths assume every
other quality Of citizenship and shoulf
be subject 70 draft as well as those who
were q year ago.
Secretary Baker admitted tnat u is
impossible for the War Department tc
make any estimate Of the number ol
American troops who VIII be IN Franc.
by the end Of the year This Is MOI
mainly dependent on the War Depart
ment. he said, but on the number OF
ships which can be furnished 10 trans
port the men and supply them after
hey are abroad. He expressed hope o
the ans OF the Shipping Board heinl
fully accomplished
With the next draft under arms-anC
that time Is problcmat'cal also-th'
secretary said there would be total OF
American troops in the neighborhooC
OF 100000 men here and in Europt
Their are at present about 100000 OF
will be when the last 70 per cent. unda'
the FIRST draft are called out this
month.
Secretary Baker asserted the army
was more plentlfully supplied with OF
icers at present than was absolutely
necessary. but the committee was IN
cllned 10 applaud this fsct. II was re
called that France and Great Britain
are suffering from lack Of officers, ans
that Il is far easier 10 supply men thar
trained officers 10 command them.
LENTEN SERVICES AT EMANUEL.