Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-03-07
Vast Number viii Be Needed
to FIJI Up Present 0rganiza-
tons and for Requirements,
Is Statement,
ABOUT 100000 MEN
ARE IN DEMAND NOW
Machinery May Be Set in Mo-
ton in April but Mobilization
of Whole Number Is to Be
Gradual.


Washington, March 6.-While
large number of men will be called
during the present year to fill up the
army and complete it's organization, il
was learned tonight that war depart
ment plans do not call for the creation
of any additional divisions in 1918.
The announcement concerning the
second draft expected sooIl from Pro-
vost Marshal General Crowder may
outline the manner in which less than
100000 men-proba bly, not much in
excess of S00,000-are to be summon
ed gradually during the year to COM
plete existing organizations. Delay in
the announcement as to the next draft
is understood to be due to uncertainty
as to which method 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
base the quota on the number of men
in class one instead of upon the total
registration of a state. This change is
regarded as certain to be made, but
to avoid further delay schedules of
allotments under both systems have
been prepared at Provost Marshal
General Crowder's office ready to go
out as soon as final action is taken
Requirements Imperative.
As to the date of the second draft.
members of congress from agricul-,
tural sections have been virtually as
sured that no withdrawal of men from
civil life was contemplated which
would embarrass harvesting. 1t has
been indicated, however, that rela-
lively small number of men must be
called prior to June and that pro-
cess may start in April, when equip
ment clothing and quarters will be
available. The men are needed to
fill up to full strength divisions slated
for early departure to Europe and
also for field army and corps troops
not attached to divisions. The replace
ment detachments also must go for
ward at an accelerating rate since
American troops are actually holding
a sector of the French front and men
are beng killed or wounded every day
6OU,OOO More Men Necded.
The completion of the full program
of the war department without Great
ing any additional divisions probably
will absorb in the neighborhood of
100000 men. The extent to which 1t
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 scientific
way, based on experience at the front
A fixed percentage for each arm of
the service is established Among the
non-combatant arms this is very small
but 1t is quite high among front line
troops. While official figures are not
available, 1t is estimated that some-
thing more than 100000 will be nee
essary for the 1918 program, making
100000 necessary to call out during
this year.
Last Increment MObilizing.
The last increments of the first
draft now in process of mobilization
totalling about $4,000 men, are being
used to fill regular and national guarG
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 made by special drafts of particu-
larly qualified men of the trades nec-
essary. Orders were issued today to
local boards calling for SIS artisans
of various sorts for non-combatant
units.
Even with all of the first draft men
modified there are considerable de-
ficiencies among the national army
and some of the national guard divis.
ions. The first purpose of the second
draft will be to make up this shortage.