Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-08-02
ARMY INCREASE
Continued from Page One)

voting aGc uf II. hoWeVc.. and
sought 10 make up the deficit by in
creasng the war departments sug-
cested minimum from 70 10 g. where
ii now stands.
The reluctance OF many members
Of Congress to 90 lower than the 81
limit is still apparent. though there
Is evidence Of strong sentiment
towards carrying the maximum up
as high as -. There is no doubt
however that war department offic-
lalS prefer to draw on the classes of
ID and 20 year old youths to fill the
ranks and see no decided military
advantage to be gained from any
considerable extension upward.
Secretary Baker has heretofore
announced that his policy in recon-
mendinG any change in draft ages
would be to seek Il sufficient num-
Der of men to meet the army's need
in such ages as would least disturb
the economic situation at home. The
bulk of the new forces, in his view,
should be drawn from the Youngest
class Of men physically able to stand
From the purely army standpoint.
this has been d boys war from the
start. The quick recuperative pow
erS OF youth have been vitality neces-
sary to the military machine under
the strain of modern warfare Old
er men are slower to recover and
are, therefore, Of more limitd use TO
the army
On the other hand, however, there are
great number of men who could be
called out Of the higher ages, even up
| to 10 A far greater proportion Of men
between 81 and A. have independent in
comes than is true with the men below
| 81. reducing the dependents factor for
exemption to that extent. AS to the
size of the army for which this increas-
ed class one is necessary no official has
dropped hint with the exception OF
| Gen. March, who in announcing the Gre
alton OF July schedule OF six new d.
visions followed by an August schedule
for the same number, has indicated the
embarkation upon such a monthly pro
gram.
Al this rate approximately 250.C00 men
month will be sent overseas, their
pieces in the home environments TO be
taken by 10000 new men. Under such
schedule, with provision now existing
for the housing and training of 1,l5O. 600
men in the United States a full six
months training on this side, both in
divisional and replacement camps, be-
fore men were sent over to complete
their courses behind the lines, would be
possible. 1t is not certain that the de-
partment is aiming at the creation of
force OF any definite size There are
now upward of 1900 900 American troops
either overseas or enroute Secretary
Baker said today the shipment rate OF
the early part Of July had been main
| tanned throughout the month, although
he did not have available .be total ship.
ment. Under the 100000 a month sugges-
| ton and without mishap 10 the supply
line, October should see 2.000, $50 Ameri-
cans overseas and the opening of the
! spring campaign Of 1919, when many
officers believe the final scenes Of the
| German defeat will begin in a great
combined drive against the German
| lines. might easily see 100000 ready
| for action, with another force Of sub
stantially 100000 organized at home
That would represent the army of s.
oOoVo Tor which in a general way the
war department may be aiming.