The Leader, enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1915-1921, 1918-08-09
GREAT ARMY Of
100000 FOR
UNITED STATES

Washington. Aug o.-In urging en-
actment of the Administrations man
power bill extending draft ages to
from IL to Is years of age, General
y March told the senate military COM
R'ttee that the war department plans
sVtlarmy of approximately five million
men to be raised as soon as pos
sible
While realizing the importance OF
the measure, General March said he
did not believe it was necessary to re-
call congress before the present recess
plan expires on August "a, providing
the bill could be reported at that time.
Abuot July 80, General March said,
the United States reached a decision
to enlarge its military program to
carry out the policies agreed upon at
the recent inter-allied conference at
Paris, to speed up prosecution of the
war and bring it to an early conclu-
sion.
Shipment of Men to Continue
General March said the shipment of
men overseas would be continued &C
eording to program now in effect for
the present.
The chief of staff entered into a gen.
eral discussion of the entire sdbject
and the necessity for amending the
lay hG.,ot, IS ~
given to the committee behind closed
DOORS was supplementary to that Of
Provost Marshal General Crowder
yesterday.
Questioned by senator's regarding
the apparent change of front" of the
war department in its war program.
General March told of the govern
ment's decision in accord with the
Paris conference.
For the new program Secretary Be-
ker and other officials concluded that
there must be an extension of the
draft age.
While about three million men are
now under arms, army officials think
there should be approximately FIVE
million men at home and in Francois
order not to disturb the present draft
system and to avoid calling men who
had been given exemption extension
of the draft ages is necessary.
Boys May be Last to Go
From General March's testimony
and other information received the
committee has gained the impression
that while all men between the ages
of Is and As would be subject to mill
tary duty under the new law, it is pro-
posed thode between 18 and 20 years
: Of age shall be kept in this country
until the last. 1ssf4la.EIEi
Upon the suggestion of Senator
Wadsworth that the draft system be
extended to the navy Senator Cham
berlain announced that either Secre-
tary Daniels or Admiral Benson
would be asked to appear tomorrow
before the committee to discuss the
advisability OF the subject.
Senator Chamberlain said he was
not sure just when the committee
would be able to report out the bill.
Secretary Baker is expected to return
Saturday and the committee desires
to hear from him before taking any
action. A number of other witnesses
probably will be called in addition to
representatives of the navy depart
ment
The prohibition controversy may
hold up consideration of the draft bill
Under the unanimous consent agree
ment proposed wartime prohibition
is to be taken up when the senate re-
convenes, with final vote on August
26.
This can only be set aside by un-
animous consent, and Senator Shep-
pard, of Texas, prohibition leader in
the senate, expressed the opinion to-
day that unanimous consent agree
nent could not be obtained unless
the draft bill can be taken up and dis
posed of with practically no debate.
,x~~~vro ~AnNENAr nav