Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-06-27
MAY NOT EXTEND
DRAFT LIMITS NOW
Enlarged Army Project to Be
Presented to Congress Within
Three Months
NOW WORKING ON PLANS
Present Reservoir of Fighting Mnn
T1me-Class 1 Exhausted In Oct.

Washington, June 26-Secretary Baker
disclosed to the Senate military commit
tee to-day that within three months an
enlarged army project now being worked
out will be presented to Congress to
represent the maximum fighting effort
Of the country.
Already the calculations upon which
the pending army bill was framed have
been exceeded and the war department is
now revising it's plans on an enlarged
basis that means additional billions in
money and additional millions of fight
ing men. The full scope of the new mea-
sure is not yet apparent, even to officials
who are preparing it.
Mr.. Baker disclosed the new plans in
explaining his reasons for opposing any
change now in the draft age limits. Later
during general debate in the Senate
chamber, figures were disclosed showing
the great strides being made toward
bringing American fighting powers to the
front in France.
1,45o000 ABROAD IN AUGUST
General March, chief of staff, already
has announced that the army is f1ve
months ahead of schedule in troop move
ments, 100000 men having been shipped
abroad. During the debate to-day, how
ever, it was disclosed that If the highest
hopes are realized 1,45oooO men will have
reached France some time in August,
and that there will be total force
under arms of approximately 3,5oo,OOo. A
statement read into the Senate record
by Senator Chamberlain, chairman of the
military committee. predicted that class
one probably would be exhausted before
October and would be reduced to GAL 1926
men by calls to be made before August
Secretary Baker and General March
were positive that the reservoir of the
lighting man power would meet all calls
upon It under the best possible conditions
Of mobilization and transportation, until
Congress has an opportunity to take up
age extensions later. with the data now
being compiled by the war department
at hand.
SHIPPING VITAL FACTOR
The question of available shipping to
haul the men to France is the vital fac
tor. At present much British and
French tonnage is employed on the work
as unusually good crops in England
have already made ships available weeks
longer than was expected.
Under previous estimates May was ex-
pected to be the month of high record in
troop shipments, the allied vessels being
withdrawn then to carry foodstuffs and
munitions needed in France and England.
1t is now indicated that they will not be
Withdrawn before July.
This probably explains the proposed
schedule of mobilization read into the
Senate record by Senator Chamberlain,
showing declining rate after August,
when the July Withdrawals for shipment
. from the cantonments would have been
made good.
The table shows a total strength in
class one of 2,362.0S2, deductions Of 334 634
for delinquents; 36,77o for the emergency
feet list: 215.53s for limited service classi-
ncation, and 60.26S originally placed in
class one. To that number it is esti-
mated 100000 will be added by the re-
classification process now going on and
1000 from the class of 1915 to be drawn
tomorrow.
s7.359 AVAILABLE AFTER JULY.
With the July call deducted, the table
fixed 877,359 as the number of availables
, left In the fighting ranks of class one and
the estimated calls for the rest of the
year are placed at total Of $500 which
would leave 1900 men still in the class on
january /, 1919. The calls for 1918 are
). given as August, 100000; September. $780,
200; October 10000; November, 10000.
and December 125,00o.
1t was pointed out during the Senate
debate that these figures prepared by
General Crowder seemed to show a suftl-
cient number of men to fill any calls
now planned and that apparently an
estimate of 10000 additional men TO be
obtained by the draft treaties with France
and Great Britain was not included, nor
the 10000 cases on April. of which il
was said 95 per cent. would so into class
one. 1t was noted also that 2l5ooo ,ner
available for limited military service had
been deducted from the total of class
one, although it is understood men OF
this classification are included in the
calls.
SENATORS PUZZLED
Many senators were puzzled by the
figures. 1t appears possible, however
and Secretary Baker and other war de
partment officials are known to share
this view that, in fact. II the present
schedule of mobilization is carried out
there will remain In class one under thu
present age limit 'several hundred thou
sand men, instead Of 1900 on January l
Probably it is this fact which prompted
the recommendation that the age limits
be not disturbed for the present.
Mr.. Baker has started careful study
Of the probable effect upon essential in
dustries of application of the draft t.
men of more than 81 years would have
That has not been completed. 1t Is re
Earded as obvious, however, that only
= proportionately small number of fight
ing men could be derived from thi
source while an enormous amount o
labor would be involved in the regstra
ton and classification of all men be
tween IS and 45 years of age rs pro
posed.
1t also was recalled that the origina
selective draft bill submitted by Mr
Baker proposed 70 as the minimum age
and he has frequently stated that h
had not changed his oHnion that the bull
of the fighting forces should come fron
the young men, and opinion also strongl
held by general staff officials.
OBJECT TO DRAFT UNDER 20
There Is strong opposition In Congress
20 placing the minimum age below q
but It was regarded as probable to-nigh
that eventually a mutual compromis
would be effected, satisfactory both t
Congress and administration officials
under which the draft would cover mel
between 90 and 35 years, possibly Vi
y. (Continued ON page four.)