The Washington herald., 1918-04-20

Army of 5,OOO,0O0.
Before going to lin. Wine House
Mr. Baker conferred at the War De-
partment with Chairman Dent and
Representative Kahn, of the House
Military Affairs Committee. At the
conclusion of the conference it was
understood stems would be taken at
once to clear the way for the fol-
lowing legislation:
Authorization and appropriations
for a military force of 100000 men,
Amendment to the draft Law
which would raise the age limit from
81 to 10 years.
An increase in the numerical
strength of the Marine Corps to 1J,-
OO men.
4-Authofization for the conversion
of the sixteen existing training camps
into cantonments which would make
available thirty-Two Of the latter
class.
TO automa ,c.:l,y grant American
citizenship to all aliens now enlisted
with the lighting forces of the United
States.
1t was officially announced tn,
Secretary of War would appear be-
fore the House Military Affairs Com
mittee in executive session on Tues
day next. 1t is thought he may
hold a similar conference with the
senate Committee on the same date
if time will permit Bills now be-
ing prepared will be introduced as
soon as the hearings have been con-
cluded.
1t was stated exclusively in these
dispatches on "wednesday after
Secretary Bakers first visit to the
White House following his return
from abroad. that official estimates
for army expansion then under con-
alteration contemplated a fighting
force ef 100000.
Raise Draft Age to 30.
The proposal to raise the ase limit
in the draft TO % years does not NEAR
that older men are to be sent to tbs
fighting front The policy of the Wal
Department To draft soldiers from
Class ]. which includes only single
men. will continue to prevail. The sup
pIv of young men also Is equal TO tbs
requirements of the proposed plan O
expansion. II is said
All men between 81 and 10 years o.
age will be registered and classified
The present plan Is to call them only
as needed to take the places of young
er men who have been exempted OF
account of civil pursuits necessary u
the efficiency of~war industries.
The bill which authorizes an increas'
in the Marine Corps to 1900 mer
passed the House today. II has vel
10 pass the Senate. but no obstacles
appear to have been raised in tina
quarter.
fairs Committee returned to the Cap
itol from the weekly conference will
military authorities yesterday almos
solidly convinced that draft ages mus
be extended to include those from
to 10 years Of age.
In describing to the committee II.
confidential news from the Picard,
and Flanders fighting fronts. the Wal
Department laid stress on the neces
slty Of more man power.
England Needs Men.
They declared. II is said. that
Lloyd Georges declaration for Irisf
eonscription showed emphatically
that England has done nearly its ut.
most.
Representative Kahn. of Califor'
mia, actual leader of the commit.
tee. declared on his return that g
bill to extend the draft ages surely
will pc passed this session He said
IL Would be approved by botf
Houses so that on June 5, when II
is proposed to register the mer
who have become 81 the last year
all men up to 40 would be sum-
moned.
Naval ApprepriatIoa BlI.
Substituting action for talk. the
House yesterday afternoon began
work on the $3.50. 900. 200 naval
bill-by far the largest In American
hjstory-and in six hours work
nearly finished IL. All speeches
were limited to five minutes II
seems likely the bill will be finished
tomorrow.
CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO.