Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-26
SENATE DISCUSSES
DRAFT AGE CHANGE
Amendment to Extend Call to
Men Between Twenty and
Forty Years Old.
WILL TAKE VOTE TO-DAY
President Reported as Against
Change Now-Provides for
Training Foreigners Here.
WILL TAKE VOTE TO-DAY


WASHINGTON. June 25-Extension
of the draft ages above and below the
existing limits-twcnty-one to thirty.
ono ycars-was discussed at length in
the Senate to-day during consideration
Of an amendment by senator FAN. of
New Mexico, 20 the $4,000, ,O0O, 900 army
appropriation pill 10 substitute eigh-
teen years as the minimum and forty
FIVE years as the maximum. During
the discussion the Senator revised the
amendment. making the ages twenty
10 forty and eliminated a provision that
youths under twcnty-one should not be
called into active military service.
Disposal of the amendment and sub
stitutcs by Senator Hitchcock. of Ne
braska, went over until tomorrow,
with sentiment in the Senate appar-
emily evenly divided. In the meantime.
some Senators regarded IL as probable
that some expression might come from
the administration. particularly in view
Of report circulated at the Capitol
to-day that President Wilson opposes
for the present. at least. any change
in the age limits and dcplores ag:ta-
ton for their extension at this time.
~
LIMITS At TWENTY AND FORTY
Senator Hitchcock 8 substitute amend
mcnt fixes :he age limit at twenty and
forty. respectively, and provides tina,
citizens OF the allied countries resident
in the United states shall be subject
10 draft. and that nationals OF neutral
countries who claim exemption shall
be debarred from American citizenship
T,t,,n Z f,-a .,,,l
for an increase of Americas man
power in the war was the principal
argument of those favorins the amend
ment, while opponents based their OBJ
jtctions principally on the contention
mat there are now sufficient men to
meet the War Departments equipment
and that neither the President nor the
department. has asked or approved the
proposed extension of the law.
During the debate 1t was freely pre-
dicted that class l would soon be en-
kausted. and that unless the age limits
are raised there will be a disruption
Of industry, with consequent effect on
the war program.
PLAN TO EXTEND "IRON
RING" AROUND GERMANY
Extension of the iron ring" around
dicrs to Russia. Italy, the Balkans and
Egypt and declaring OF war on Bull
Earia and Turkey also was urged.
Before taking up the Fall amend
ment the Senate adopted numerous i'm
portant Legislative riders recommended
By the Military Committed including
those for organization in this country
OF Slavic legion. A provision for
formation of a Polish unit was stricken
out upon explanation by Chairman
Hitchcock. OF the Foreign Relations
Committee. that the French govern
mert feared an American organization
might interfere with the Polish army
recently organized and hghting in
France.
Another amendment for training of
foreign units in this country ues!. .-ned
especially for securing man power from
Latin America. a:su ..... written into
the bill without discussion. while new
amendments offered included one b.;
Senator France. OF Maryland. providing
Tor compute. "...!tary training for
youths nineteen and twenty years
of age