The Washington herald., 1918-04-03
TO RAISE MORE men

CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.
had been hoped that announcement
would be made of the great counter
offensive which Washington had been
expecting to start for smore than
seventy-two hours.
Distance COnfuses.
Each day reveals that the great dis
tance which separates Washington
from the scenes of action in Europe
is embarrassingly confusing. and
leads to misunderstandings of what
is being attempted by the French,
English and American forces now
lighting as one army.
There is said to be no question that
the combined numerical strength of
the allies is now greater than that of
the German forces. 1t Is thought,
however, in certain official circles
that the organization Of the army of
manoeuvre has not progressed as
rapidly as had been believed here.
1t was definitely learned there is
still very little information concern
ing the state Of preparedness OF the
allies at the time the German drive
was instituted.
1 MS ldGh Ol lS
said, may have been responsible for
hasty predictions of the promptness
with which the armies opposing
Germany would find it possible to
strike back effectively.
The situation which has devel-
oped by statements of a semi Off
cial character available from Wash
ington is believed to be response
BILE for an order from Chief of Staff
Maj. Gen. March concerning the
manner in which publication will
be given to war news in the fu-
ture. The statement said:
The War Department has been
notified by cable that Secretary Ba-
ker has prescribed the following
rules for handling publicity of mat
ters pertaining to troops and opera
tions.
"First-An matter pertaining to
events. persons, policies or opera
tions hereafter will only Officially
be given out from the headquarters
of the American expeditionary
forces in France.
"Second-Similar matter, affect
ing the forces at home. will be
given out by the War Department"
The Provost Marshal Generals office
here is making preparations to hurry
the induction into military service OF
drafted men under the second draft
call to take the place of the men now
in the cantonments OF this country.
The issuance OF Executive orders
which will place all the men now in
training in the United States in France
or en- route by August l will cause a
change in the original plans for the
second draft
1t was intended to call out the Sc
lectives under the second draft in
small lots of about 10000. This scheme
was decided upon when it was the
plan of the military authorities to
move the men from the cantonments
gradually. Now that there is to be a
general movement OF men overseas the
draft officials will be called upon to
supply new troops as fast as camp
space is provided by the withdrawal
Of trained soldiers.
This condition will mean added
work for the Provost Marshal Cen
eral il the passage of the bill provid-
ing the apportionment of quotas on
class l basis is long delayed. A rec
ord of all men furnished under the
second draft must be kept. in order
that proper credits may be given If
the proposed method OF apportioning
the quotas is adopted. A comprehen-
sive scheme to take care of this con-
tingency now is being worked out.
The class ! basis of apportionment
will greatly simplify the task of sup
plying men for the National Army, in
addition to making the draft system
equable, it was said at the draft
headquarters. With 2,5O0,OOO in class
l and 100000 men needed, it would be
necessary simply to wire each local
board to induct into military service
20 per cent of the number of men in
its class !.
Ample supplies for the men called
out under the second draft will be
available, it was learned at the War
Department last night The policy
of not sending drafted men to train
ing camps until supplies have been
assembled will not interfere with the
plans.
The movement to training camps of
5000 drafted men which started on
March %, is scheduled to be COM
pleted today.
Reports to the office of the Provost
Marshal General here show that the
advance arrangements for this move
ment have been carried out smoothly
and without a hitch. Every state in
the Union, except Iowa and Mime
sofa, contributed to this call.