Evening journal., 1918-07-24
Baker PLANS ARMY
Of 5.0OO,0O0 MEN
To be Trained for Partici-
patton in Allied Ofien-
sive Next Spring
LOWER AND RAISE
PRESENT AGE LIMITS

WASHINGTON. July PA program
Of military expansion to provide for
an army Of 100000 men as fast as new
classes can be called to the colors,
equipped and trained, Is to be submit
ted to Congress at the Termination OF
the midsummer recess.
Secretary Of War Baker will have
ready for Congress Immediately after
members return to Washington next
month an elaborate and ambitious
program OF largely increased approprl-
ations, recommendations for changes in
the draft age and plan for a more ex-
tensive mobilization Of forces than any
that has been discussed up TO this time.
Although Secretary Baker would not
discuss the program now nearing COM
pletlon by the general staff corps, he
said II practically had been finished.
It was understood at the War De-
partment the program calls for the mo-
bilization Of very large numbers Of
men under the selective service act.
These men, II is understood, Will be
called to the training camps beginning
in September, so that the United States
will have them available for service in
France next spring.
The number of men to be called un-
der the draft VIII be much greater
than in the past. The War Department
Intends to utilize every possible re-
source for the training OF those men.
There will be substantial increases in
the local and States quotas. Although
the number OF men in camps may not
be very much greater than that OF last
fall, It was explained the regular army
and National Guard camps held men
not called under the draft. The camps
will be full Of drafted men. and, added
20 the facilities at the National Army
cantonments and the special technical
training schools, will provide for ap-
proximately 100000 men.
After General Crowder's July quotas
Of drafted men are filled Il is expected
approximately 100000 men will be
available in Glasses and 2. II is Secre-
tsry Bakers plan to obtain the addi-
tlonal men through changes in the draft
age, instead Of going into Glasses 3 and
4, which embrace married men with
children and essential industrial
workers.
The additional troops probably
would be senl overseas after a maxi
mum OF five or six months training,
and, accordingly, would be available
for an Allied offensive in the spring,
should General Foch elect 70 strike at
that time. The training periods both
in this country and in France con
stantly are being shortened.
War Department officials asserted
today - will be necessary for the
United States 10 maintain a steady flow
of troops to maintain the number Of
actual fighting forces in the line.
Secretary Baker would give no indi-
cation Of the changes OF the draft ages
TO be recommended. but II was learn
cd he will insist that Congress lower |
as well as raise the present age limits. |
There IS considerable opposition in |
both the House and Senate TO calling |
youths Of nineteen and twenty years,
but it is believed the War Department /
II urging such a course as an admins
trative measure, can overcome that OBJ
lection. Army officers are quite conf
dent Congress will yield TO reduction
TO include men Of twenty years. but
there Is a very strong sentiment to in
sist on a nineteen-year limit. The
maximum probably will be forty or
forty-fve. with the former favored by
military authorities. lt Is estimated
4. 10000 men would be obtained in the
nineteen and twenty year classes and
about 100000 or 100000 from the older
groups.
That it Is the intention Of Secretary
Baker TO provide for the immediate
Of largely increased forces
was indicated by the fact he will ask
Congress for additional appropriations.
Congress has Just completed the. ap-
intended 10 cover the cur
rent fiscal year, which runs to June
30, 1919, and those appropriations cover
the estimated needs Of the army under
the original program for this year.
The additional funds will be asked In
an urgent deficiency bill and Will be
available Immediately. They will pro
vide for the equipment, training and
OF men called before the
end of the fiscal year.