The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-03-07
100000 TO Be
CALLED UNDER
new j. s. PLANS
War Department Will Form
No New Divisions This
Year.

WASHINGTON, March 7.-Whiie a
large number Of men will be called
out during the present year to fill up
The army and complete its organiza-
ton, it was learned tonight that War
Department plans do not call for the
creation OF any additional divisions in
1918. The announcement concerning
the second draft expected soon from
Provost Marshal General Crowder
may outline the manner in which Tess
than 100000 men--probably not
much in excess of 500, 000-are to be
summoned gradually during the year
10 complete the existing organiZa-
lions.
Delay in the announcement as to the
next draft is understood to be due to
uncertainty as to which method of al
lotting quotas to the states is to be
followed. The Senate already has
passed and the House military COM
mittee has favorably reported an
amendment to the law to base the
quota on the number of men in Glass
|. instead Of upon the total reglstra-
ton Of a state. The change is regard
ed as certain to be made, but to avoid
further delay schedules of allotmentS
under both systems have been pre-
pared at the provost marshal gener-
ais office ready to 60 out as soon as
final action is taken.
May Begin in April.
AS to the date of the second draft,
members of Congress from agricultur-
al sections have been practically as
h,t n I-ayI
from civil life was contemplated
which would embarrass harvesting. Il
has been indicated, however, that a
relatively small number of men must
be called to the colors prior to June
/, and that the process may start in
April, when equipment, clothing and
quarters will be available. The re-
placement detachments also must go
forward at an accelerating rate since
American troops are now actually
holding sector of the French front
and men are being killed or wounded
in action every day.
The completion of the full program
of the War Department without Great
ing any additional divisions probably
will absorb in the neighborhood OF
600,0 900 men. The extent to which 1t
has been necessary to increase artil-
lery quotas throughout the army and
10 add special units of all sorts has
surprised every officer and accounts
tor the existing shortage to large
extent.
The number of replacement troops
necessary is worked out in a scien-
tific way based on experience at the
front While official figures are not
available, it is estimated that some.
thing more than 100000 will be neces
sary for the 1918 program, making
100000 to be called out during this
year.
Many Deficiencies to Fill.
The last incrementS of the first
draft. now in process of mobilization,
totaling about 10000 men are being
used to fill regular and National
Guard divisions shown by their effic-
iency reports to be available for early
duty abroad. Some of the men are
being used also to fill up the special
forces, although an additional source
of supply for highly specialized tech
meal units is being used continuously
This is by special drafts of particu
larly qualified men of the trades he
ceSsary. Orders were issued today &c
local boards calling for 52S artisans
of various sorts for non-cOmbatanr
units.
Even with all of the first draft men
modified there are considerable de
ficiencies among the national army
and some of the National Guard di
visions. The first purpose of the sec
ond draft will be to make up this
shortage.
The cloth clippings for filling the