The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-05-08
CALL TO COLORS.
MUCH SPEED ADDED TO ARMY
EXTENSION.
Half of Number Originally Planned
for Years Program Included i'm
Two Months Drafts-COngress Ask
ed for Fifteen Billion Dollars to Paw
Expenses for Year.

IHaI Hoo,VVV men from 40 states had
been called to join the colors in May,
Secretary Baker indicated the scope
Of the governments plans for in
creasing it's fighting strength, by stat
ing that congress had been asked to
appropriate approximately $15,OOO,-
100000 for the army for next fiscal
year. That amount is exclusive of
funds provided in the fortification
bill which not only covers coast de-
lenses, but as a rule provides the
bulk of heavy field ordnance.
Last year the army estimates ag-
gregated $500. 100000 to pay for
force of 100000 men which has al
ready been exceeded
The call for quarter of million
during May, goes to all States except
California, Oregon and Nevada, which
with the District of Columbia already
have supplied SO large part Of their
clude them this time. The move
ment in most States will begin May
rs. BY this order the war department
abandons it's plan of assembling men
in even monthly increments of ap-
proximately 100000. Under the orig
inal program it was intended to call
out not to exceed 100000 men during
1918. The call for 10000 in April
and $4,000 this month will bring
out in two months half of the num-
ber originally contemplated for the
year.
Let us avoid specific figures" Sec
retary Baker said again today.
They imply limits. There is no lim-
1t. We will call out enough men to
make victory certain. We call them
as rapidly as they can be trained and
sent forward"
! In preparation for this tremendous
increase in the army the house mill
itary committee was told today that
every existing cantonment in the
country will be enlarged and every
National Guard camp utilized to it's
full capacity. 1t is regarded as prob
able that some new cantonments must
be built, but in the interest of speed
and economy Of effort and material
emphasis will be placed upon expand
ing existing facilities. Ground has al
ready been obtained in the vicinity of
several cantonments for the expan-
sion. and details of the new construc-
ton are being worked out by the gen.
eral staff, which also is studying the
necessity of and proper location for
additional cantonments.
| In connection with the exclusion of
three States and the District of Co.
lumbia from the May call, officials ex-
planned that an effort is being made
to balance accounts among the various
States preparatory to the application
OF the new quota basis when congress
has approved that measure. The May
draft allotments were made on the
population basis heretofore used but
| subsequent determination of quotas
| will be much altered when the num-
| Der of men furnished by any State is
computed from the number of avail
| ables it has in Glass /.
InI 81,
be mobilazcd generally at the canton
ments to which the men from the
same States have previously been
sent. In many cases they will find
the divisions originally created at
those camps gone. Some Of the camps
VIII have been converted into re-
placement divisions
Under the increased army plan, a |
great number of new divisions NAV
be created With authority now ask
ed for unlimited power to Great fight
ing units, some Of the men of the May
draft may be assigned to these new
organizations
1t is regarded as likely, however,
that the April and May drafts will be
used largely, to fill up divisions at
home while the seasoned personnel
from those divisions is sent overseas
to fill the gaps. Since the number of
divisions on the other side is rapidly
and steadily increasing, the flow of
replacement troops must increase
proportionately.
The apportionment among the
States includes:
Alabama. $500 to Camp Sewer. s.
c.; Arkansas. 800 to Camp Beaure
gard, La; 4,124, Camp Pike. Ark.