Republican farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1810-1920, 1918-03-08
100000 men TO
Be SUMMONED
IN NEXT DRAFT

Washington, March While a
large number of men will be called
out this year to fill up the army and
comptste its organization, 1t was
learned last night that War Depart
ment plans do not call for any ad-
ditional divisions in 1918.
The announcement concerning the
second draft expected soon from Pro-
vost Marshal Gen. Crowder may out
line the manner in which less than
1000, 900 unexpectedly not much in
excess of S00,000-are to be sum-
smoned gradually during the year to
complete the existing organizations.
Delay in the announcement as to
the next draft is understood to be
due to uncertainty as to which meth
cd of allotting quotas to the states is
to be followed The Senate already
has passed and the House Military
Committee has favorably reported an
amendment to the law to base the
quota on the number of men in Glass
1 instead of upon the total registra-
ton of a state. This change is re-
garded as certain, but to avoid further
delay, schedules of allotments under
both systems have been prepared at
the Provost Marshal Generals Office,
ready to go out as soon as final action
is taken.
AS to the date of the second draft,
members of Congress from agricul-
tural sections have been assured prac-
tically that no withdrawal of men
from civil life was contemplated which
h ho1 In
been indicated, however, that a rela-
lively small number of men must be
called to the colors prior to June 1
and that process may start in April,
when equipment, clothing and quar-
ters will be available.
The men are needed to fill up to fun
strength divisions slated for early de-
parture to Europe and also for field,
army and corps troops not attached to
divisions. The replacement detach-
metns also must go forward at an ac-
celebrating rate since American troops
aIre now actually holding a sector of
the French front and men are being
killed or wounded in action every
day
The completion of the full program
of the War Department without Gre
ating any additional divisions prob
ably will absorb in the neighborhood
of Co., 900 men. The extent to which it
has been necessary to increase artil-
lery quotas throughout the army and
to add special units of all sorts has
surprised every officer and accounts
for the existing shortages to a large
extent
The number of replacement troops
necessary is worked out in a scien-
tific way, based on experience at the
front. A fixed percentage for each
arm of the service is established
Among the non-combatant arms, thi:
is very small, but it is quite high
among front line troops. While Off
cial figures are not available, it i:
estimated that something more thar
200, 900 will be necessary for the 1915
program, making 100000 necessary tt
call out during this year.
The last increments of the frs
draft, now in process of mobilization
totalling about $4,000 men, are uset
to fill Regular and National Guart
divisions shown by their efficiency re.
ports to be available for early duty
abroad. Some of the men are used
also to fill up the special forces, al
though an additional source of sup
ply for highly specialized technica
units is being used continuously
This is by special drafts of particu
larly qualified men of the trades nee
essary. Orders were issued today t
local boards calling for SIS artisan
of various sorts for non-combatan
units.
Even with all OF the first draft mel
modified. there are considerable de
ficiencies among the National Arm,
and some of the National Guard di
visions. The first purpose of the sec
ond draft will be to make up thi
shortage.