Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1918-01-31
MILLION MORE
men AVAILABLE
Baker Says u. S. viii Extend
Program to Any Extent to
Aid Allies.
DATE OF FNExT CALL UNKNOWN
Provost Marshal General CroWder Op-
poses Plan to Exempt Men 8ecor-
ing Thirty ty-One-Hopes Glass
Will Fill Army.

I viii Fill Army.
Washington, Jan. 30.-Other millions
Of American soldiers, if needed, will
follow the million and half men
America expects to have in France
before the end OF 1913.
The fighting force of the United
States can be strengthened by another
million men without serious delay, if
needed, Secretary Baker said. The full
measure of battle efficiency America is
to contribute will he limited only by
the needs of the situation.
II it is found munitions and supplies
are the vital need the United States
will meet the demand.
Sees Victory Through Unity
Secretary Baker, celebrating on his
statement before the senate military
affairs committee, said the only scheme
this nation can follow is one that will
fit in with that of the allies.
Victory will be won through unity
of action. he said. The full strength of
all the allies must be co-ordinaled.
Developments here will be in com
plete accord with the decisions of the
supreme allied war council.
4 million men can be raised on the
second draft call, the secretary ex-
planned. Five hundrrd thousand can
be ordered into training as the second
increment Of the National army. An
other 100000 can be drafted as ''re-
cruiting hattalions'' to maintain the
regular army, National army and Ma
tionaI Guard contingents at full
strength.
Date of Call Not Set
The number Of men to be called on
the second draft has not been deter
mined, Secretary Baker said The date
of the call also is undecided.
There is no Immediate plan to en-
large the present camps and canton
ments, whose capacity is 5000 men.
IN addition there are marine and other
camps ami Il number of large army
posts offer facilities for housing and
training large numbers.
1t is probable tents will be more
widely used in the future, Secretary
Baker said, as Surgeon General Gorgas
still believes tents are best.
\ much larger number of men can
be trained Simultaneously when the
tents are available, the secretary
stated
Shipping Chief Problem.
The first draft is scheduled to be
completed February IS. The date Of
the second draft call hinges on three
factors-shipping facilities, camp space
and legislation.
The transport Of men now in training
is regulated by the availability of ships.
AS each unit leaves camp for France
another unit can begin training.
Hopes Class Will Fill Army.
In future operations Of the draft law,
Provost Marshal General Crowder ex-
planned, new drawing will be held un-
der the new classfications in order to
fix Individual liability.
I'VE would EXHAUST class l." he said,
"befOre calling on other classes.
hope we will not have to call on any
class except class /. If you pass the
resolution TO enroll men becoming
tWenty-one We will be assured almost
of not having to go out of class /. If
class / in any community became ex-
hauSted, according to its quota, we
would call on al! other men OF class l
in other communities before calling
men of lower classes in The first com
munity. -
General CroWder opposed the plan
RECOMMENDED by Secretary Baker to
exempt men becoming thirty-One with
out being drafted.
If the amendments for registration
of those attaining twenty-one years are
accepted, General CrOwder estimated
that there would be 100000 in class /
available for the draft. OF the new
young men required to register upon
attaining twenty-One, General Crowder
said, about % per cent would come
under the highest classification