New-York tribune., 1918-06-29
The Slow and Costly Way

The argument made by Secretary
Baker against an extension of the con-
scription age limits runs in a VICIOUS
circle 1t is this:
The military situation in France COM
pelled our government to run many
months ahead" of its Original hope"
with regard to the transportation OF men.
(We benefited beyond our hopes in mill
tary preparation through the accelera-
tion furnished by Ludendorff's offen-
sives.) But having speeded up beyond
our schedule, we may now excuse our
selves for lying back little on our oars.
There may be less transatlantic ton
mage available for troop transportation
after July if Ludendorff doesn't repeat
his spring performances. Ships which
have been carrying men may be assigned
to carrying food. The flow Of American
soldiers to France may be checked. If it
is checked the recruitment process here
can also be slowed down. If the monthly
calls are shaded off we can get through
the summer and fall without exhausting
the man-power furnished by the first
draft. We may even have surplus OF
1000 conscripts on January l. Why
bother at this time about creating a
fresh supply?
The fallacy of this argument lies in
making fluctuations in available tonnage
the definite measure Of our conscription
needs. There is no immediate and con-
are not registered one week, sent to
camp the next week and shipped to
France the following week. They must
undergo some training. The more train
ing they get here the less they will re-
quire in Europe. The reservoir here may
be drawn on irregularly. But that is no
reason for not keeping it filled to the top.
1t is not filled now.$ We have less than
100000 men under arms. Half of these
may be in France by September. When
the last man available under present
legislation is called out we shall prob
ably have less than 100000 men under
arms, provided the principle Of selection
is adhered to.
That is not enough. Losses have to be
made good. And we ought to aim at
maintaining the army at minimum of
100000 men. If we are to reach that
minimum we must either abandon selec-
ton or broaden the conscription limits.
Why postpone decision? Time-the
most precious thing in war-would be
saved by changing the age limits now,
for no one believes that Congress is 60
ing to abolish selection. The men called
out could go ahead with their training
while awaiting transportation. The
character of the fighting in Europe has
changed. Much of the old special tech
nique Of the trenches is out of date. Sol
diers can be trained here almost UP to
the point of entering the firing line.
We must maintain large reserve here
IN any event. Whether it runs at times
above 100000, 100000 or even $780,
900 is not of enough consequence to split
hairs over. The main thing is to have an
ample supply ready to send to Europe
when an emergency comes and troop
ships are provided, in quantity, just as
they were provided this spring after
Ludendorff became dangerous. We may
have to send 100000 or 10000 men
to Europe before the war ends.
1t is economy to put every man we can
raise into the campaign of 1919. Delay
now in expanding our draft machinery
is bad military policy. For four years
the Allies have been making war piece
meal. The results speak for themselves.
That is the bungling and costly way to
victory