Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-03-07

The announcement concerning the
second draft expected soon from Pro-
vost Marshal. General Crowder may
outline the manner in whicl, less than
100000 men-probably NOT much in
excess Of 00,000--are to be summoned
gradually during the year to complete
the existing organizations.
DRAFT DATE DELAYED.
Delay in the announcement as 10 the
next draft is understood to be due to
uncertainty as to which method of al
loting quotas to the states is to be
followed. .f So .
The senate already has passed and
the house military committee has fa-
vorably reported an amendment to the
law to base the quota on the number
of men in class one instead of upon
total registration OF state. This
change is regarded as. certain to be
made, but to avoid further delay
schedules of ailotments under both
systems have been prepared al provost
marshal generals office ready to go
put as soon as final action is taken.
Small Number in June.
As to the date of the second draft,
members of congress from agricul-
tural sections have been practically
assured that no withdrawal of men
from civil life was contemplated
which would embarrass harvesting. II
has been indicated. however. that a
relatively small number Of MEN must
be called to the colors prior to June |,
and that process may start in April,
when equipment, clothing and quar-
tiers will be available. ..s}y /. &,
The men are needed to I'll, Up to full
strength divisions slated for early de-
parture to Europe, and also for field
army and corps troops not attached
to divisions. The replacementdetach-
ments also must go forward at an
accelerating rate since American
troops are now actually holding a sec
tor Of the French front and men are
being killed or wounded in action
every day. g.. .
The completion of tire full program
of the War department without Gre
ating any additional divisions probably
will absorb in the neighborhood of
100000 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 ana accounts
for the existing shortages to large
extent. a
Losses Estimated.
The number of replacement troops
necessary is worked out in a scientific
way, based on experience at the front
A fixed percentage for each arm of
the service is established. Among the
noncombatant arms, this is very
small; but it is quite high among
front line troops. While official fig
ures are not available it is estimated
that something more than 100000 will
be necessary for the 1913 program,
making 100000 necessary 10 call out
during this year.
The last increments of the first |
draft now in process of mobilization.
totalllng about oUO0O men, are being |
used to fill regular and national guard |
divisions shown by their efficiency re-
ports to be available for early duty |
abroad Some of the men are being
used also to fill up the special forces,
although an additional source of sup
ply, for highly specialized technical
units is being used continuously. This
is by special drafts OF particularly
qualified men of the trades necessary.
Orders were issued today to local
boards calling for 528 artisans of vari-
Gus sorts for noncombatan. units.
Even with all of the first draft men
there are considerable de-
fciencies among the national army
and some of the national guard di-
visions. The first purpose O. the sec
ond draft will be to make up this
shortage. M-.t.- /