Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-04-18
US.TO HAVE ARMY
OF3,OOO,OOOUNDER.
ARMS THIS YEAR
Great Fighting Force Can Be
Called From First
Draft Glass

dSTnnStOn, april To- - lnree
million American men, physically
fit and having no dependents, soon
will be in the human reservoir from
which the man power of the United
States is to be drawn during the next
year to wage war against the Central
Powers.
This vast reserve supply will be
made available simultaneously with
the enactment by the House of the
bill for the registration of all men In
this country who have become 21
years of age since June last. The
measure was reported favorably by
the Military Affairs Committee OF
the House, and is certain to pass
within the next few days. The Senate
already has enacted it.
1t should not be understood that
the registration of men who have
reached their majority since last
June will add 100000 to the num-
her already subject to draft. AS a
matter of fact Major General +. III.
Crowder, Provost Marshal General
does not expect that more than l.
100000 will be registered as result
of the new legislation.
OF this 100000 he figures that at
least 750, 900 will be put in class one,
men who will neither be exempt for
physical disabilities nor because they
have dependents. There are at the
present time in class one 2,25O,OOO
men who are physically qualified
This gives a total available force in
class one of 100000.
100000 Now in Army
AS men who have dependents are
not placed in class one. this means
that the United States could put an
army of 100000 men in the field
without taking a single man out of
class two, the class made up of men
having partial dependency there be-
ing at the present time more than l.
100000 men in the American Army.
1t was made plain to-day by the
Provost Marshal General that before
a force of anything like that size is
created he will want the draft age
limits changed. The Provost Marshal
General does not want to exhaust
completely his available force before
arranging for its replenishment and
rather than draw men from the
classes of those having partial or to-
tai dependencies he favors extend
ing the age limits so as to get men
older or younger who have no per-
sons depending on them for support.
General Crowder said to-day that
if the present army of !, 500 900 is to
be doubled during the next year, as
is generally believed to be the least
that will be done, he thinks the draft
ages should be widened Like all
military men he favors lowering the
draft age below the present draft
age minimum of 81, being convinced
that boys of Is, 19 and 20 make the
best soldiers, but he realizes that
Congress is more apt to raise the
maximum limit beyond the present
age of 81 than to change the mini
mum. Consequently a maximum of
40, 40 or so years is being considered.
The fiat statement was made by
General Crowder yesterday that
total draft of 10000 men may be
expected during the month of May,
despite the fact that the calls so far
made are for only $4,000. At least
100000 will be added to the present
total for next month. That will
make 100000 called during the
months of April and May" he said
yesterday. 1t is almost half the total
of 100000 which it had been planned.
TO call during the last nine months
of 1918.
One of the high officers on Gen.
eral Crowder's staff said yesterday
that present indications are that the
"nOle ouU,UO Will De called In the
next few months, and that the drain
on the reserve supply will be heavier
later on.
General Crowder said yesterday
that he does not care whether the
War Department calls on him for
half million or two million men
this year. His draft machinery is so
constructed that he thinks he can
supply any force he is asked for. He
said that so far he had received no
informRtion as to what he will be
called upon TO supply before June l,
but has the draft machinery in such
condition that he does not have to
anticipate the needs of the army be-
yond that time. The needs can be
met as they develop.
At the meeting of the House Mill
tary Affairs Committee, which result
ed in a favorable recommendation
on the bill for registration of men
who have just become twenty-one,
plans were considered for raising the
army to at least 5000. 900. men dur
ing the present year.