The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-09
NOCHANGEIN
DRAFT CALLS.
SAYS BAKER
All War Activities Con-
tinue Despite the Probable
Signing of Armistice.
NEED MEN FOR GARRISONS
Selective Process Planned for
DemObilizatiOn-Navy Opens
Way for Discharges.
Special Despo,ch 10 Tnx srS.

WASH1SGToN, Nov. S.-ConfuSion ana
uncertainty already exist throughout
the country regarding what is to hap
pen in the matter of the draft and
other military activities going on.
The War Department and every other
Government agency began to stagger
to-day under tons Of messages from
every quarter asking for enlighten-
ment. They poured in from the big
Industrial centres all day long. yester-
days extraordinary demonstration
having stimulated many of them.
Secretary Baker was besieged by
newspaper correspondents to-day with
inquiries regarding the Governments
plans but the Secretary declined fatty
to make any announcement until the
armistice had been signed. He did,
however, deny that any orders had
gone forth holding up draft calls or
Interfering with the selective process
now being conducted by local boards.
The report that the draft would be
stopped he refused to affirm or deny.
That the Government already had be-
gun to cancel many contracts Mr.. Baker
| also denied.
No Contracts Being Cancelled.
80 far as l know" said Mr.. Baker
there has been not single contract
| cancelled on account of the pendency OF
| the armistice. The Government Is can
ceiling contracts all the time in the
ordinary course Of business for which the
Il tlAK, la In xsyiQn H.
| ble."
| The hotels OF the capital are filling up
fast with persons holding contracts who
are frantically trying to get inside infor-
nation on what is going to happen, but
so far have not succeeded.
| Little doubt is felt here that the sign
| ing OF the armlstice will result not only
! In instantly halting the calls OF drafted
men to the camps but also In shutting
down on troop shipments. II was re-
ported to-day that a division which was
on the point OF embarking yesterday had
its sailing orders cancelled.
There are now approximately 2.00o. 900
\ men under arms In this country and
2,000, 900 abroad. rehabilitation of the
men under arms In this country prob
ably will be begun Immediately upon
the signing Of the armistice but IL Is
|
1t Is understood the plans being worked
out provide for the application of the
selective process to rehabilitation by
| which the men for certain industries will
be taken first
The navy Is considering a plan by
which men will be allowed to make ap-
plications for immediate dismissal and
II they can show that places are await
ing them these will be granted
1t is the belief OF many Senators who
have given thought to the problem that
the return of the men IN the National
Army camps in this country should be
accomplished just as speedily as pos
stble. They assert that this is particu-
lsrly true of the men who have been
taken from certain industries like agri-
culture and food production.
Government economists declare that
any system of immediate rehabilitation
sending 1000, 900 men back to Jobs
many OF which are held by women. or
men brought from other employment
would bring economic conditions fraught
with great danger.
The men in France can be brought
home only as fast as ship tonnage can
be made available.
Fewer ships for Troops.
This nation in recent months has sent
250, 900 men a month to Europe. This
was accomplished with the aid of many
British ships. When hostilities cease
these ships will be withdrawn 10 trans
port British troops TO Canada, Australia
and India, and to resume commerce, The
percentage OF transport In American
ships has steadily risen, but 1t is not
more than half. This means that ht
maximum rate OF return will be consid-
erably under the rate of departure un-
; less neutral ships coming to America for
foodstuffs and raw materials can be Sc
cured.
Even so, II will take many months tc
! bring OUR forces home. 1t is likely that
American sarrisons will occupy tbs
Rhine and other German border prov
inces and will police northern France
This would take a considerable force an6
would permit the French and Belgian'
,o turn to tho work of reconstruction.