South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-05-04
May AIIotmentS are Made on
Population Basis, But Next
Draft Will be Based on
Number in Glass |.

WASHINGTON, May 4.-Simul-
| taneously with the announcement.
today that $4,000 men from As
states had been called 10 join the
| colors in May. Sec'y Baker indicated
the scope of the governments plans
for increasing its fighting strength.
by stating that congress had been
asked 10 appropriate approximately
$4,000, 600. 600 for the army for the
next fiscal year That amount is
exclusive OF funds provided in the
fortihcations bill which not only
covers coast defenses, but as a rule
provides the bulk Of heavy field
ordnance
Last year the army estimates ag-
gregated s6.0OO,OOO.OO. and six
hundred millions TO pay for a force
Of 100000 men. which has already
been exceeded.
Three States Exempt.
The call for quarter Of a mill
lion men during May goes to all
states except California. Oregon and
Nevada which. with the District of
| Columbia. already have supplied so
large a part of their uotas that it
was decided not TO include them this
time. The movement in most states
Will begin May = . and will be COM
pleted in FIVE days. BY this order
the war department abandons its
plan of assembling men in even
monthly increments Of approxi-
mately 100000. Under the original
plan it was intended to call out not
to exceed $4,000 additional men
| during 1918. The call for 10000
in April and $4,000 this month
viii bring out in two months half
of the number originally contem-
plated for the year. officials made
il clear that it is now the purpose
to mobilize all the men for whom
equipment and training facilities
can be provided.
Let US avoid specific figures. 50
Sec'y Baker again said today They
| imply limits. There is no limit. We
will call out enough men to make
victory certain. We will call them
as rapidly as they can be trained
and sent forward"
VIII Enlarge Camps.
III iFl'dl dAlOH lot lIllS IIeMen-
dous increase in the army. the
house military committee was told
today that every existing canton
ment in the country Will be en-
/ larged and every national guard
camp utilized to it's full capacity.
/ 1t is regarded as probable that some
new environments must be built but
/ in the interests Of speed and econ
omy of effort and material pressure
viii be placed upon expanding ex-
listing facilities. Ground has al
ready been obtained in the vicinity
of several environments for the ex-
| pansion and details of the new con
struction are being worked out by
the general staff, which also is
studying the necessity Of proper To-
cation for additional cantonments.
Troops Are on Move.
The men called out this month
will be modified generally at the
/ environments to which men from the
same states have previously been
/ sent. In many cases they will ind
the divisions originally created az
| those camps gone Some of the
camps which have been converted
into replacement divisions. ana the
new men will be redistributed in
/ accordance with their qualifications
after being inspected, rendered i'm
mune from disease and furnished
with the initial equipment
Under the increased army plan a
| great number of new divisions may
be created. With authority now
asked for unlimited power to create
fighting units some of the men OF
| the Nav draft may be assigned 10
| these new organizations.
1t is regarded as likely. however
/ that the April and May drafts will
be used largely to fiji up divisions
| at home. while the seasoned per
I sonnei from those divisions is sent
overseas 10 fll the gaps. Since the
number of divisions on the other
side is rapidly and steadily increas-
/ ing. the flow of replacement troops
must increase prOportionately
Provide for Three Million.
a new draft OF the annual ARM
appropriation bill providing for the
needs Of 5000. 900 mon under the
$4,000, 100000 program will be laid
before the house military commit
tee when If reassembIes next Mon
day.
|