Middletown transcript., 1918-08-10
READY TO EXTEND
DRAFT AGE LIMIT
Enlarged Military Program
Complete, Says Baker.
FOR EARLY CONSIDERATION
Ace Limits To Be Extended In Both
Directions to 40 Forecast Not
correct-Presentatio OF Bill
In Congress.

WaShlngtOn.-PlanS OF the war O0-
partment for an enlarged military pro-
gram, including extension of the draft
age in both directions, have been v1r-
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.
i 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 susges-
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
we're 10 and Sc, 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 manpower reservoir it was
desired to create.
Secretary Baker has heretofore an
nounced that. his policy in recon-
nlending any change in draft ages
would be to seek a 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
be drawn from the youngest class of
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
10 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 great number of men who could
be called out of the higher ages, even
up tp IS. 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
his increased class one is necessary,
10 official has dropped a hint, with the
exception of General March, who in
the creation of a July
schedule of six new divisions, followed
~ an August schedule for the same
lumber, has indicated the embarka-
ion upon such monthly program.
month would be sent overseas, their
'laces in the home cantonments to be
AIKEN by 250, 900 new men. Under such
schedule, with provision now exist
ng for the housing and training Of
100000 men in the United States.
ull six months of training on this side,
9th in divisional and replacement
amps, before men were sent over to
omplete their courses behind the
mes would be possible.
1t is not certain that the department
} aiming at the creation of a force of
ny definite size. There are now up-
ard of 100000 American troops
lther overseas or enroute. Secretary
aker said the shipment rate of the
arly part of July had been main.
ained throughout the month, although
e did not have available the total
hfpment. Under the 100000 month
digestion and without mishap to the
lpply line. October should see 2.O0O,-
10 Americans overseas and the open
e of the spring campaign Of 1919
hen many officers believe the final
'enes of the German defeat will be-
n in great combined drive against
lie German lines, might easily see
100000 ready for action, with an
her force Of substantially 100000
gained at home. That would repre-
mt the army OF 100000 men for
hich, in a general way, the War De-
lrtment may be aiming.