New Britain herald., 1918-03-07
ID GALL 8OO,OOO
 FOR DRAFT OF 1918
No Additional Divisions to Be
 Organized Under Present Plan

Washington, March 7.-While a large number of men will be called cut during the present year to fill up the army and complete it's organi- zation. war department plans do not call for the creation of any addi- tional divisions in 191S.z The an- rouncement concerning the second draft expected soon from Provost Marshal General Crowder may out line the manner in which the fewer than 100000 men-probably not much in excess of 800, 00O--are to be summoned gradually during the year to complete the existing organi- zations.
 Delay in the announcement as to the next draft is understood to be due to uncertainty as to which method of allotting quotas to the states is to be followed. The senate has passed and the house military committee has favorably reported an amendment to the law to base the quota on the number of men in class one, instead of upon the total registration of 8 state. This change is regarded as certain to be made, but, to avoid fur ther delay, schedules of allotments under both systems have been pre- pared at the provost marshal gen. erals office. ready to go out as soon as final action is taken.
 As to the date of the second draft, members of congress from agrlcul- tural sections have been practically assured that no withdrawal of men from civil life was contemplated which would embarrass harvesting. It has been indicated, however. that 8 relatively small number of men must be called to the colors prior to June 1, and that process may start in April, when equipment, clothing and quarters will be available The men are needed to fill up to full strength divisions slated for early departure to Europe and also for field army and corps troops not at tached to divisions. The replacement detachm ents also must go forward at an accelerating rate, since American troops are now actually holding a sector of the French front and men are being killed or wounded in action every day.
 The completion of the full pro- gram of the War Department, with out creating any additional divisions, probably will absorb in the nelghbor- hood of 600,000 men. The extent to which it has been necessary to 1n- crease artillery quotas throughout the army and to add special units of all sorts has surprised every officer and accounts for the existing shortages to large extent.
 The number of replacement troops necessary is worked out in Sclenthc way, based on experience at the front. A fixed percentage for each arm of the service is established. Among the non -combatant arms this Is very small, but it is quite high among front line troops. While official fig ures are not available, it is estimated that something more than 2oV,ooo will be necessary for the 1918 pro- gram, making SO0,000 necessary to call out during this year.
 The last increments of the first draft now in process of mobilization, totaling about 0,0OO men, are being used to fill regular and National Guard divisions shown by their effl- ciencv reports to be available for early duty abroad. Some of the men are being used also to fill up the special force, although an additional source of supply for highly specialized technical units is being used continu- ougly. This is by special drafts of
 particularly qualified men of the trades necessarv Orders were issued today to local boards calling for 52S artisans of various sorts for non- combatant units.
 Even with all of the first draft
 men mobilized, there are consider
 able deficiencies among the national army and some of the National Guard divisions. The first purpose of the second draft will be to make up this c1oC rfa crn