The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-02-16
new DRAFT MAY
NOT BE CALLED
BEF0REJUNE
Those Who Have Become 81
in the Last Year Likely
to Be Included.
TOTAL TO BE 100000
Impossible to Say How Many
Men in France This Year,
Baker Admits.
Special Despotch 10 Tar srS.

Special Despdtch 10 THk StN
WASHINGTON, Feb. 15-Eew insight
into the plans Of the War Department
for conducting its part Of the war was
afforded in a statement made to-day BY
Baker before the House Com
mittee OH Military Affairs The evil
dence brought out revealed these princl-
pal facts:
Tho next draft will not be called
until May and probably not until June
next. when 100000 additional men
will be certified for service In the Ma
t!onal Army.
The calls for these men will be gov
erned by the capacity Of the canton-
menta
The Provost Marshal General in
charge OF raising the National Army
desires to disregard the existing plan
FOR the apportioning Of men called
from the various States and asks for
power to call any number from any
State
General Crowder desires also to
have included In the next draft men
who have become ii years OF age since
the general registration last June.
The War Department Is without
definite estimates OF the number OF
men who will be in France this year.
T The army now has more officers
than are necessary for its present
strength.
Army appropriations for six months
at a time may be provided. instead OF
one year. as at present owing to the
uncertainty.
Secretary Baker uuhesi,atingly tod
the committee that the next draft would
not he called to the colors before next
May, and after discussion with some
members OF the committee agreed tina,
deferring it until June might be wiser
There was strong indication that this
plan would be adopted.
Asks Relief for Farmers.
Representative Shallsnberger (Neb)
obtained the admissi ion from the Secretary
that due to the, policy Of Provost Marsha
General Crowder In trying to obtair
the required number nf men from among
the registrants who have no dependents
the majority OF men for the Nationa
Army would come from country dis
;ricts. Planting Of corn and wheat crops
in April and May might lie seriously
impeded by drawing this labor ava!
from the farming districts, Mr. Shallen
p
crop This fact Mr.. Baker promised te
take "under serious consideration" II
planning for the call
The men certified for service unde,
the next draft. Mr., Baker said. woult
'be called to service in increments a.
the sixteen National Army cantonment.
are ready to receive them. The rapiditI
with which they are called depends Ell
tirely on how fast the men now trained
can be transported to France. He dcpre
Gated the suggestion that several mill
ion men he trained and ready to GO be
cause II would not have even a mora
effect on Germany. as that nation Il
aware o; the inability of the United
States to ship that number of men t'
Europe at short notice and keep then
supplied before the shipbuildng pro
gram,ne is far more advanced than it II
now.
Crowdcr'. Request Opposed.
Gen Crowder. in order to III The rank
OF the National Army. desires to he EN-
powered by law TO disregard the fac
that each State is to be called on for
percentage OF the total troops needed il
proportion to its total registration. TIL!
the committee is inclined TO frown upon
OHt Will grant II IL MT b6kcT can CIV,
proof Of It's need
The committee indicated its disar
proval also OF the suggestion tha, tn,
, call should include men who hay
reached II since last June. whel
tho general registration Of every on
in the country between 81 and 3
years occurred |. was admitted tina
this disapproval. was based largely o
the sentiment against placing extrem
young manhood Oh the firing line ]
was pointed out To the committee. how
ever. that when they reach the age O
manhood these youths assume ever
other quality OF citizenship and shoul
be subject to draft as well as those VIII
were Fl year ago.
/ Secretary Baker admitted that Il
impossible for the War Department I
make any estimate OF the number O
American troops who will be IN Franc
by the end of the year. This is no
mainly dependent on the War Depart
mSnt. he said, hut on the humber q
ships which can he furnished to trans
port the men and supply them after the
are abroad. lie expressed hope of tn
aims Of the Shipping Board being full
accomplished.
/ Gives Estimates.
With the next draft under arms--an