The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-08-09
READY TO EXTEND
DRAFT AGE LIMIT
Enlarged Military Program
Complete, Says Baker.
FOR EARLY CONSIDERATION
Age Limits To Be Extended In Both
< Directions-19 to 40 Forecast Not
Correct-Presentatio OF Bill
In Congress.

aSnlngtOn.-PlanS or the war De-
partment for an enlarged military pro-
gram, including extension of the. draft
age in both directions, have BEEN vir-
tually completed, Secretary Baker an
nounced. He expects that the War
Department bill will be introduced in
Congress this week enabling the mill
tary committees to begin considera-
ton without delay.
Mr.. Baker would not reveal the age
limits to be recommended by the de-
partment. He said, however, that
published reports that the limits were
to be set at from 10 to 40 years were
incorrect. The 19-to-40-year sugges-
ton was among those considered and
rejected, he added.
The age limits most generally dis
cussed heretofore as being the most
acceptable to the War Department
were 10 and SO, inclusive, but Mr..
Baker would not give any intimation
that this had been accepted.
Mr.. Baker. said he did not intend
to issue any statement explaining his
plans, and that so far as the Depart
ment was concerned presentation of
the bill in Congress would be the only
publicity given it. The purpose of the
extension of ages for draft liability, he
said, was to provide an adequate num-
Der of men in class one to meet the
enlarged army program. The Secre-
tary would not say, however, how
large a manpower reservoir it was
desired to create.
Secretary Baker has heretofore an
nounced that his policy in recon-
mending any change in draft ages
would be to seek sufficient number
of men to meet the Army's needs in
such ages as would least disturb the
economic situation at home. The bulk
of the new forces, in his view, should
men physically able to stand the
strain of modern warfare.
From the purely army standpoint,
this has been a boys war from the
start The quick recuperative powers
of youth have been vitality necessary
to the military machine under the
conditions of modern warfare.
Older men are slower to recover and
are, therefore, of more limited use to
the Army.
On the other hand, however, there
are a great number of men who could
be called out of the higher ages, even
up to As. A far greater proportion
of the men between 81 and As have
independent incomes than is true
with men below 81, reducing the de-
pendents factor for exemption to that
extent.
AS to the size of the army for which
this increased class one is necessary,
no official has dropped hint, with the
exception of General March, who in
announcing the creation of a July
schedule of six new divisions, followed
by an August schedule for the same
number, has indicated the embarka-
ton upon such monthly program.
At this rate approximately 100000 men
a month would be sent overseas, their
places in the home cantonments to be
taken by 250,000 new men. Under such
schedule, with provision now exist
ing for the housing and training of
1,75O,000 men in the United States,
full six months of training on this side,
both in divisional and replacement
camps, before men were sent over to
complete their courses behind the
lines would be possible.
1t is not certain that the department
is aiming at the creation of force Of
any definite size. There are now up
ward of 100000 American troops
either overseas or enroute. Secretary
Baker said the shipment rate of the
early part of July had been main
tanned throughout the month, although
he did not have available the total
shipment. Under the. 250,000 month
suggestion and without mishap to the
supply line. October should see 2,000,-
900 Americans overseas and the open
Ing of the spring campaign of 1919
when many officers believe the final
scenes of the German defeat will be-
gin in a great combined drive against
the German lines, might easily see
100000 ready for action, with an
other force of substantially 100000
organized at home. That would repre-
sent the army of 100000 men for
| which, in a general way, the War De-
Oartment NAV he aiming