New-York tribune., 1918-08-09

ForArmyand
Navy Halted
Recruiting Is Suspended
Until New Draft Bill
Is Disposed OF

WASHINGTON, Aug. S. - Voluntary
enlstments In the army or navy we're
suspended completely to-day to prevent
disruption of industry pending dispo-
s'tlon of the bill proposing to extend
draft ages to include all men between
eighteen and forty-fivc years.
orders were issued by Secretaries
BAKER and Daniels directing that no
Voluntary enlistments be accepted after
to-day until further orders.
The orders also exclude civilians
from appointment to officers training
camps until further notice.
1t was explained that the view of
the government is that MANY of the
older men are indispensable in their
present occupations, but the natural
result OF the debate on the draft
question was certain to lead to rush
on the recruiting offices. 1t is re-
garccd as essential that men greatly
needed at home should be prevented
from rushing into the army under a
mistaken idea that they are ccrain to
be drafted anyhow and prefer to join
the service voluntarily.
Classification Planned
1t was quite evident that plans for
| applying the new draft age limitations
10 the older men include a very careful
classification of each individual to de-
termlne his position at home and prob
ably far more liberal construction
or industrial exemption rules than has
heretofore been given the case.
The War Departments action was
announced in a statement by Secretary
Baker
Secretary Daniels in issuing an or
DER to the chief of navigation and the
commandant Of the Marine Corps to
refuse acceptance of cnlistments made
, this explanation:
"Ihe large increase in enlistments
in the navy and Marine Corps has
made 1t possible to suspend further
enlistment until pending legislation af-
fecting the draft for the army is dis
posed Of. When it is resumed it will
be in full cooperation with the War
Department under arrangements which
"ll secure all the men needed for
both services"
Extension of the draft system TO the
! navy is not regarded as necessary at
this time by the Navy Department.
Rear Admiral Palmer, chief of the Ru-
rcau Of Navigation, told the Senate
Military Committee to-day the navy
has practically all the men it needs
fccted by changing the army draft
/ ages.
100000 Enlistments
Enlstmcnts in the Navy now total
approximately 100000 mel, said Ad-
miral Palmer, who represented Secre-
tary Daniels before the committee in
response TO request that repre-
sentative of the Navy advise the COM
mittce regarding the advisability of
amending the pending Administration
man power bill so as to apply the draft
system alike to the army and navy.
Senator Chamberlain said to-day if
. the man power bill could be reported
out by next Monday, he would make
an effort TO have the Senate rcconvene
probably about August 19 to take it
! up.
News gatherings is an indispensable
! industry Secretary Baker said to-day
in discussing draft regulations, though
particular mans relation to that in
/ dustry must depend, Mr.. Baker added,
upon the facts in his case and the
: portability Of replacing him
/ Citing conditions in his home city
+ OF Cleveland, the War Secretary said
Z there were newspaper men above the
: new draft age limit proposed to Con-
gross who probably could replace
| younger men in an emergency.
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shelling Of Paris Continues