Evening journal., 1918-08-08
100000 ARMY IN
YEAR, U. PROGRAM
100000 Will be Over
seas and 720, 900 Here
as a Reserve
MARCH EXPLAINS
CHANGE OF FRONT

WASHINGTON, Aug. s,-The military
program Of the United States calls for
an army or a200O00 men overseas,
with reserve force OF 10000 men
under arms in this country, by the
middle OF next year. General Peyton G
March, chef Of stan, told the Senate
Military Affairs COMMITTEES yesterday.
General March told the members OF
the committee the governments allied
with the United States In the war with
tn. Central Powers have asked the
United States 10 adopt a military pro-
gram called for 400 division abroad
or a total Of 100000 men, with a re-
serve force Of about 100000 men
under arms and in training in this coun-
try.
The lack Of ships to transport such
a large number Of divisions and TO keep
them supplied, he said, has forced
the United States Government TO de-
eide tentatively upon a modified pro-
gram calling for eighty divisions, OF
10000 men each, TO be maintained
overseas. and eighteen divisions TO he
kept i'm this country as reserve. That
tentative program, the CHIEF or stan
said. will be enlarged 10 meet the wish
es OF the other Allied Governments as
soon as the ship tonnage situation I'M
rroves TO such an extent that an army
Of approximately 5,00O,000 men can be
maintained abroad.
Although ships are being turned out
as rapidly as possible In every snip
yard in the country, said General
March, he does not believe sufficient
American tonnage will be available to
release the British ships now being
used for transporting and maintaining
General Psrshing's army until June of
next year.
The proposed new man-power law,
said General March, will supply amply
the demands Of the program for ninety
eight divisions, and should also pro-
vide the men for the program for i2O !
divisions, as outlined by the other
Allied Governments, without invading
deferred classincations. The larger
program can be met, said the chief OF
staff. because $4,000 Glass 4 men VIII
become eighteen years Of age during
the coming year and before the pro-
gram for 1920 divisions could be carried
out ~
General March told Of the Allied |
war councils request for the imme-
diate enlargement Of the military prb |
gram Of the United States. in explain |
ing why he and Secretary Baker late |
IN June successfully defeated an EFFORT |
then being made in Congress TO en- |
large the draft.
The War Department, he said, at
that time. did not contemplate mill
tary participation by the United states
on so large a scale. 10 was soon after
the France amendment, increasing the
draft-age limits TO twenty and forty
five years. had been defeated at the re-
>cuest OF Secretary Baker and himself,
said General March, that the Govern
ments allied with the United States
made representations TO the Govern
ment of the United States for the
maintenance Of an army OF 100000
men overseas.
The enlarged military program pro
viding for 100000 men abroad and |
the reserve force Of 10000 at home,
was decided upon as the result of those
he said and the new
bill was sent TO Congress
to meet the new requirements.
General March told the committee
the War Department is very much
pleased with the situation in Europe
He would not venture any phophecy
when the war might end.
The agreement reached between the
United States and her Allies for a
much large military program than
originally planned. he said, is part OF
the general military plans agreed upon
py the Allies late In July TO push the
Of the war toward a
speedy end.
The United States, he said, will have
an army OF more than 100000 men In
France by the end OF the year. AT
present there are 100000 American
troops overseas, he said, and the pres
ent plans call for the shipment OF
950 600 each month until the first OF
next wear or for 100000 more men
TO be send abroad. That you'd bring
The total American forces abroad on
December 81 TO 100000
Although the decision concerning
what classes are TO be called under the
enlarged draft is left with President
Wilson. General March said the under
standing in the War Department is
that the lower classes Will not be
drawn upon for service overseas, but
that the youths between eighteen and
nineteen or twenty years OF age VIII
be kept at home as the reserve: The
first classes that will be called, ne SAID
his understanding was, will be the
Glass 4 men between twenty ana
twenty-one years Of age, and between
thirty-two and forty.
secretary Baker will appear before .
the senate Military Committee on FRI
day to explain why he opposed chang
ins the draft ages i've weeks ago and
vyhv he now asks for the speedy en-
,areement OF the draft. Mr.. Baker is
IN his way back to Washington from
J'eavenworth, Kan, where the com
mittee reached him with a summons
to appear before that body.
Secretary Of the Navy Daniels and
Admiral benson. chief Of The Bureau