The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-30
Events Abroad and Ship
ping Situation Will BE
Factors
NEW DRAWING
is PROPOSED
Men Who Have Become of
Age Since June 5 In
cluded
CBy Associated Press.)

Washington, Jan. S0.-Expansion
Of Americas fighting forces beyond
their present strength depends upon
such factors as events abroad and
the shipping situation Secretary
Baker said last night in disclosing
that the war department has not
fixed a date for another draft, nor
even determined how many men
shall be called.
When Mr.. Baker told the senate
military committee that the United
States would have half q million
men in France early this year, and
that in all a million and q half
could go across If ships could be
found to carry them, he referred to
the divisions now in training camps
and those already in Europe. Future
developments win decide what addi-
tional forces will be sent.
The secretary made clear yester-
day his opinion that If events made
1t necessary to call out more than
another increment of half a million
men, the executives authority to-
draft men Tor fighting units other
than reserves would be exhausted
and further legislation by congress
would be necessary. He said, how
ever, that under the authority to call
two increments of line soldiers Of
500, 900 each and such additional
numbers for recruit battalions and
special units "as the President may
deem necessary" the second draft
might bring out in all SIS many as
a million men.
To Register Youths.
The senate committee yesterday
tentatively approved legislation pro-
posed by the war department to-
provide for the registration of
youths attaining the age of 81 years
since June 5, authorizing the fixing
OF quotas on the basis Of Glass one
of the new classification and en-
towering the President to call men
needed for special industrial or
other work. Provost Marshal Cen
eral Crowder, appearing to explain
the bills, told the committee 1t was
proposed to hold a new drawing to
establish the order OF liability Of the
new registrants When the new men
have been given their serial num-
beers, their names will be inserted
in the classes to which they may
be assigned, according to a plan
now being worked out.
1t Is assumed, General Crowder |
said. that most of the new regis |
trants will fall into Glass one, Civ
ing that class this year a total Of
some 400, 900 men. From Class one, |
it is proposed to take the next and
any future drafts.
In 4 formal memorandum present |
ing his views, the general also dis
approved suggestions that the regis
tration be extended to men beyend1
the age of 81. saying the effort OF
classification is so great and so ex-
pensive, and the number Of per-
sons past 81 years who would fall
into Glass one so small, that the
task would not be worth while.
Although Secretary Baker yester-
day reiterated his desire to have
registered men who reach
the age OF 81 years without being
called into the military service, the
refused to include such a
provision In the legislation. General
Crowder disapproved the suggestion:
The bills probably win be introduced
in the senate today and Senator
said last night they
would ba pressed for early passage.
The Aviation Program.
From Chairman Coffin of the air.
craft board the committee yesterday
secured. behind closed doors. what
several members termed most en-
rouraRfng" reports Of the aviation
Mr.. Coffin told about the
success OF the Liberty motor and
outlined the co-ordinated program
OF aviation production and operation
arranged by the United States, Eng
land. France and Italy.
Although much OF Mr.. Cofnn's
testimony was confidential. a con-
siderable part will be made pubic
probably next Thursday when he
win be cross-examined in open ses-
sion.
Further inquiry into the aviation
service will be made today when
BriEadier General Sduier, chief of
The army service. and Colonel Deeds
win appear, probably in executive
The committee had hoped to re-
all Secretary Baker before the end
II the week for cross examination
IN his statement of army achieve
nenta. but last night Chairman
thought the aviation
branch would CONSUME the next few
aays and postpone Secretary Bakers
return until next week.
Discussion OF the controversy over
he conduct OF the war and the pro-
posed war department reorgani2a-
ion also Is impending both in the
,enate and house. Senator Wads-
worth OF New York IL PLANNING an
address. nossibIy today. ~ support
II the bills for a war cabinet and
munitions director The war cabinet
Minister bill will be considered bv
he committee this weak and another I
vote ~ planned On the question or
IL TO the senate.