The Robesonian., 1918-05-06
ASKED FOR
FIFTEEN BILLION
DOLLARS FOR ARMY
233, 900 Men from As States Called to
Join the Colors This Month-8,1 ia
of These From North Carolina.

simultaneously with the announce
ment Friday that 1885, 900 men from As
States had been called to join the
colors in May, Secretary Baker indi-
Gated the scope 6f the Governments
plans for increasing its fighting |
strength, by stating that Congress
sha,l been asked to appropriate ap-
1psrsso,xfmately $751; 100000 Geo for the
army for the next fiscal year. That
amount is exclusive Of funds in the
Notifications bill which not only COW
ers coast defenses but as, a rule pro-
vides the bulk Of heavy field ordnance.
The call for quarter Of million
men during May goes to all States ex-
cept California, Oregon and Nevada
which with the District Of Columbia
already have supplied so large a part
/ Of their quota that it was decided not
to include them this time. The move
ment in most States will begin May
25 and will be completed in five days.
By this order the War Department
abandons its plan Of assembling. men
| in even monthly increments OF ap-
proximately 100000. Under the orig
inal program it was intended to call
out not to exceed 100000 men during
1918 The call for 100000 IN April and
i 233 900 this month will bring out IN
two months half Of the number origin
ally contemplated for the year. VI
ficials made it clear that 1T is no"
the purpose to mobilize all the men
for whom equipment and tralrQng
facilities can be provided.
In nreparation for this tremendous
increase in the army the House mill.
, tary committee was told that every
existing cantonment in the country
, will be enlarged and every natlona
guard camp utilized to it's full capacl
ty. It is regarded as probable tha'
some new environments must be built
. but in the interests Of speed ant
. economy of effort and material, pres
sure will be placed upon expanding
- existing facilities. Ground has al
: ready been obtained in the vicinity O
several cantonments for the expansion
! and details Of the new constructor
= ;, are being worked out by the genera
r staff.
= The men called out this month WI
= = be- mobilized generally at the canton
~ ments to which the men from tn
Il same States have previously bee
! sent. In many cases they will fin
! the divisions originally created a
\ those camps gone. Some Of the camp
= will have been converted into replace
=, ment divisions and the new men WI
~ ~ be redistributed in accordance VIII
" their qualifications. 49,, -.
II It is regarded as likely that CT
~ April and May drafts will be use
largely to fill up divisions a. nom
&c while the seasoned personnel ITO,
- those divisions is sent overseas
#, fill the gaps. Since the number
- divisions on the other side IS rapid
~ and steadily increasing the How
: replacement troops must increase pr
portionately. z,
On A new draft Of the annual arm
it appropriation bill, providing Tor u u
be needs of 100000 men under the !7, u
he teen billion dollar program, VIII
r. laid before the House military COZ
ly mittee when it reassembles Monda 9
% Secretary Baker, General March, cnl
rg of staff. and other officers appeared
iii the committees executl We sessle
esl discussing the estimates to- carry .
nj the Immediately war work.
ST. The apportionment among e
lis States of the men called today lnc1uo
North Carolina, 8,114 to Camp Jae
ate son, S. c.
er- South Carolina, 1900, Camp Jat
nth son, South Carolina; 2S8 Camp wac
5. worth, South Carolina.