The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1918-03-14
NEXT DRAFT FOR
100000 MEN
No New Divisions will Be
Created Under Plans.
PROCESS TO START IN APRIL
crowder Soon Expected To Make An.
nouneemeht OF Rules Covering Sc
lection OF Men Who VIII Be
Taken On This Call.

Washington.-Wh a l"rge number
Of men will be called out during the
present year to fill up the army and
complete its organization, the War De-
partment 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 less
than 100000 men-probably not
much in excess of 800,000-are to be
summoned gradually during the year
to complete the existing organiza.
lions.
Delay in the announcement as to the
uext draft is understood to be due to
uncertainty as to which method of al
loting quotas to the states is to be fol.
lowed. The Senate has passed and the
House Military Committee has favor.
ably reported an amendment to the
law to base the quota in the number of
men in class one, instead of upon the
total registration of a state. This
change is regarded as certain to be
made, but to avoid further delay
schedules of allotments under both
systems have been prepared at
Provost Marshal Generals Office ready
20 go out as soon as final action Is
taken.
AS to the date Of the second draft,
members of Congress from agricul-
tural sections have been practically
assured that no withdrawal of men
from civil life was contemplated which
would embarrass harvesting. 1t has
been indicated, however, that a rela-
lively small number of men must be
called to the colors prior to June l,
and that process may start in April,
when equipment, clothing and quar-
ters will be available. The men are
needed to fill up to full strength divi-
sions slated for early departure to
Europe, and also for field army and
corps troops not attached to divisions.
The replacement Of detachments 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 program
OF the War Department without Great.
inc any additional divisions probably
will absorb in the neighborhood Of
100000 men. The extent to which II
has been necessary to increase ar.
tillery quotas throughout the army,
and to add special units of all sorts
has surprised every officer and ac-
counts for the existing shortages to a
large extent.
The number of replacement troops
necessary is worked out in scientific
way, based on experience at the front.
A fixed percentage for each arm of
the service is estabihsed. Among the
non-combatant arms, this is very
small, but ii is quite high among front
line troops. While official figures are
not available il is estimated that some.
thing more than 100000 viii be neces.
sary for the 1918 program, making
5000 necessary to call out during
this year
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 efficiency re.
ports to be available for early duty
abroad. Some of the men are being
used also to I'll up the special forces,
although an additional source OF sup
ply for highly specialized technical
units is being used continuously. This
IS by special drafts Of particularly
qualified men of the trades necessary.
Orders were issued today to local
boards calling for 52S artisans of vari'
Gus sorts for noncombatant units.
Even with all OF the first draft men
rlobilized there are considerable def
ciencies among the National Army
and some of the National Guard divi'
sions. The first purpose of the second
draft will be to make up this shortage.