South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-06-26
.DRAF I ACE
EXTENSION IS
IN BALANCE
Rumored About Capitol That
PreS't Wilson Opposes the
Present Change in Draft
Age Limits.

WASHINGTON. June 26.-ENten-
sion of the draft ages above and be-
low the existing Imits-21 TO Il
years-was discussed at length i'm
the senate Tuesday during eonsid-
Grafton OF an amendment by Sen
FAN of New Mexico. TO the S12.-
000.000.O0V army appropriation bill
TO substitute Is years as the mimi
mum and 80 years az the maximum.
During The discussion. the senator
revised the amendment making the
ages 20 10 40 and eliminating a pro-
vision that youths under 81 should
not 1e called into active military
service
Pres't Wilson Opposes Change.
Disposal Of the amendment and
substitute by Sen Hitchcock of Ne
braska. went over until Wednesday
with sentiment i'm the senate appar-
entity evenly divided. I'm the mean
time some senators regarded IL as
probable that some expression
might come from the administra-
ton. particularly i'm view of a re-
port circulated at the capitol Tues
day that Pres't Wilson opposes. for
the present, at least. change in the
age limits and deplores agitation
for their extension at this time.
Opposition and support Divided.
The Fall amendment was vigOr-
ously supported by Sen. Chamber
lain Of Oregon. chairman of the mill
itary committee. and Sens Fall OF
New Mexico. Wadsworth Of New
York. Cummins Of Iowa. Reed or
| Missouri. and others. Opposition
was voiced by Sens Thomas of Col
orado. Mcclellan Of Tennessee and
| Kirby of Arkansas, all democratic
members of the military commit
/ tee. while several other senators de-
clared they favored raising the max
imum draft age. but opposed low
ering the minimum.
Draft Allies. Bar Neutrals.
/ Sen Hitchcock's substitute
/ amendment fixes the age limits at
I 20 and 40 respectively. and pro-
-ides that citizens of the allied coun-
tries resident i'm the United States
shall be sub. ect 10 draft and that ma r.
/ tionals of neutral countries who
| claim exemption shall be disbarred
/ from American citizenship.
Imperative and immediate neces-
/ sity for an increase of America S
man-power in the war was the prin-
cipal argument OF those favoring the
amendment. while opponents based
: their objections principally on the
contention that there are sufficient
/ men now available 20 meet the war
/ departments program and that
/ neither the president nor the de-
partment has asked or approved the
proposed extension of the law.
During the debate il was freely
I predicted that class one would soon
| be exhausted and that unless the
\ age limits are raised there will be
/ a disruption of industry with con-
sequent effect on the war pro-
/ gram.
Iron fling" around Germany.
Extension * the Iron ring
around Germany by s,udins Amer
! lean soldiers TO Russia, italy the
Balkans and Egypt anil declara
ton OF war on Bulgaria and Turkey
also was urged
| beIofe Iihllle UP the tau amend
ment the senate adoptel numerous
/ important legislative riders recon-
meuded by the military committee
/ including those for organization in
/ this country of a Slavic legion \
/ provision FOR formation Of a Polish
unit was stricken out upon eXpla-
/ nation by Chairman Hitchcock of
/ the foreign relations committee
I that the French government feared
I an American organization might i'm
\ terfere with the Polish army re-
/ Gently organized and lighting in
| LL4nnn