The Washington herald., 1918-08-09
VOLUNTEERING
lis SUSPENDED
AWAITING LAW
Rush to Enlist Causes Bak-
er and Daniels to Take
= Action.
COMMISSIONS HELD UP
Desire to Protect Industry
from Disruption Reason
Back Of Move.
COMMISSIONS HELD UP

ssuspension of all volunteering for
army, navy or Marine Corps service
ana Of civilian appointments 10 army
training camps for officers. eomms-
sions was announced yesterday by the
War and Navy departments IN q
sfatenent foreshadowing new dra1t
r.ruIations TO make the selective serv-
ice absolutely selective at the govern
rnents option.
-The closed door to volunteers came
a. the result of the tremendous rush
- volunteer before the new draft law
can be enacted and men between 81
and q called to the colors urcer us
urnyisions. Thousands who object 10
going to wsr as select service men
have LSsn seeking to beat 'he law 10
the army Many others beyond the
present age limits, now confronted
with army service. are pulling the
wires for commissions.
Await Legislation.
1.-THE War Department yesterday
suspended further volunteering ana
tke receipt of candidates for ofncers
tanning camps from civil llfs." SAID
formal announcement. This suspcn-
snn will remain in force until the
legislation now pending before Ihe
Congress with regard to the dratt
ares is disposed of, and suitable resu-
lations drawn up to cover the opera
tim of the selective system under the
new law. l., o., -
pxeyent the disruption of the in
dnstry Of the country and the i'm
nslrment of the efficiency OF the
VARIOUS governmental agencies
witch would follow the indiscrimi-
nste enlistment of men up to the
age Of 4S.
e Really seIectiye Inv.
NIt is the intention of the depart
ment to present to the President
fc+ promulgation regulations in
connection with the operation of
the seIective system which Will
mike il truly selective. and leave
tito the government to determine
whether men can be spared from
tfnir present occupations for mill
tary service"
The law before Congress. putting
all men from IS to As in the draft
lists will practically include all
Available man power for war pur-
poses. Future recruiting for the
navy may De eHeCIeO.
ssThe Secretary of the Navy and
have discussed the question Of ex-
tending the draft to cover the men
needed for the navy" said Secre-
tary Baker. The discussion. how
ever, has been purely informal. and
no conclusion has been reached. I
should not be willing to say any
thing on this except by conference
. - with him "
Navy EnIIstments.
The Secretaries of War and Navy
are to confer further shortly over
navy enlistments. Some arrange
arrangements may be made for the
draft boards to issue releases to
men volunteering for the navy.
The difficulties of naval enlist
ments, If there shall be any under
the new selective service regula-
tions, will be easily met and set
tied" said Secretary Daniels. when
navy and Marine enlistments are
again permitted. 1t will be in full
cooperation with the War Depart
ment"
The campaign in Congress against
Secretary Baker. to demand the rea-
sons for his sudden change Of front
on the extension of age limits in
the draft. received its answer from
him yesterday.
The enlargement of our military
program was based upon a study
of the subject made by the military
representatives OF the Supreme War
Council. and recommendation
from them"
Cen Bliss was the American rep
rcsentative at this conference.