The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-03-07
Men Called to Colors Will Be Used to Complete
 Existing Units
POSSIBLY NOT OVER
 S0O,O00 ARE NEEDED
These Will Be Drafted Gradually Throughout Year so as Not to Embarrass Industry and
 Agriculture

w dolllllS : toll3 M q V II VI While a large number of mon will be called out during the present year to fill up the army and complete its organ ization, it was learned tonight that war department plans do }not call for the creation of any additional divisions in 1918.
 The announcement concerning the isecond draft expected soon from Provost Marshal General Crowder |may outline the manner in which less than 100000 men--probably not much in excess of 00,000-are to be summoned gradually during the year to complete the existing organiza- ltions.
 Delay in. the announcement as to the lnext draft is understood to be due to uncertainty as to which method of all loting quotas to the states is to be fol- low ed. The Senate already has passed and the House military committee has fsvorably reported an amendment to the law to base the quota on the number of men in class one, instead of upon the total registration of a state. This change lis regarded as certain to be made, but to avoid further delay schedules of all lotments under both systems are ready to go out as soon as final action is taken.
 SECOND DRAFT DATE
 As to the date of the second draft, members of Congress from agricultural
 sections have been practically assured that no withdrawal of men from civil life was contemplated which would em-
 barrass harvesting. It has been indicated,
 howevef, that relatively small number
 of men must be called to the colors
 prior to June l. and that process may
 start in April wsSen equipment. clothing and quarters will be available. The men
 are needed to fill up the full strength . of divisions slated for early departure , to Europe and also for field army and
 corps troops not attached to divisions
 The replacement attachments also must go forward at an accelerating rate since : American troops are actually holding a
 sector of the French front and men are being killed or wounded in action every 1 day.
 f MAY NEED 8OO,000 MEN The completion of the full programme :. of the war department without creating any additional divisions probably will
 absorb in the neighborhood of 6oo.o0o men o The extent to which 1t has been neces- v sary to increase artillery quotas through s out the army and to add special units n of all sorts has surprised every officer n and accounts for the existing shortages n to large extent.
 g The number of replacement troops is : worked out in a scientific way, based or n experiences at the front. A fixed per
 centage for each arm of the service is established. Among the noncombat
 ant arms, this Is very small but it i'
 quite high among front line troops
 While official figures are not available it is estimated that something more
 than 100000 will be necessary for the lsl lprogramme, making s0o0o0 necessary tt call out during the year.
 FIRST DRAFT ABSORBED The last increment of the first draf |
 now in process of mobilization totallnl
 about s00,00O men, are being used to fiji Irregular and national guard divisions < shown by their efficiency reports tt
 be available for early duty abroad Som' of the men are being used also to fiji up the special forces although an addi lticnal source of supply for highly special Iized technical units Is being used con ltinuously. This is by special drafts o
 particularly qualified men of the trade lnecessary. Orders were issued today t. ' local boards calling for 52s artisans o various sorts for noncombatant units i Even with all of the first draft mel | mobilized there are considerable def T ciences among the national army ant ;, some of the national guard divisions : The first purpose of the second draf ' will be to make up this shortage.