Evening star., 1918-06-26
Confidential Figures Given.

The latest statistics and estimates
| regarding the number of men still
available under the present draft law
and the new British-Canadian treaty
| were presented confidentially to the
| committee, together with the War De-
partments plans for further draft
| calls.
Secretary Baker. 1t was said. ex-
pressed merely his personal views and
| those Of his military advisers and
did not suggest the opinion of Presi-
dent Wilson on the question, although
| 1t had been reported that the Presi-
| dent also opposes immediate legisla-
| tion.
In asking that the draft legislation
go over Yor the present Secretary
Baker and Gen. March said that with
In sixty or ninety days, probably
proposed recess of Congress the ad-
ministration will submit a new COM
prehensive Army program, covering
not only the number of men it is
proposed to raise. but also dealing
with shipping and other problems.
Statement by Mr.. Baker.
Secretary Baker said an "enlarged"
program for the Army is planned, in a
been closeted with the committee for
nearly three hours with his aids.
| Il presented to the committee" said
Mr.. Baker. statements that for the
present there are enough men in class
l sufficient for our prospective needs.
and when the enlarged program Of the
United States Is ready for presenta-
tion to Congress we will at the same
time have complete data on which to
base any recommendations for change
| in the age limits of the draft"
| Although Gen. Crowder adhered to
his advocacy OF the general principle
Of extending the draft limits, he took
! the position that he is an adminis-
| trative officer and ready to accede to
the decision Of his superiors and con-
postponement Of congressional action.
Proposes 90 to 20, Draft Age.
Senator Fall modified his amend
ment late yesterday afternoon SO as
| to make the proposed draft ages
| twenty to forty instead of from eigh-
! teen to forty-five, as originally pro-
| posed.
| These new age limits in the Fall
amendment are similar to those pro-
posed in a substitute offered by SEN
/ ator Hitchcock of Nebraska. Senator
| Hitchcock's amendment also provides
that citizens of the allied countries
resident in the United States shall be
subject to draft and that nationals
| of neutral countries who claim ex-
emption shall be debarred from Amer
ican citizenship.
For and Against Amendment.
The Fall amendment was vigorous
| ly supported by Senator Chamberlain
| of Oregon. chairman of the military
committee, and Senators Fall, Wads-
worth of New York. Cummins of
Iowa. Reed OF Missouri and others.
Opposition was voiced by Senators
! Thomas of Colorado, McKellar of Ten
nessee and Kirby of Arkansas, all
committee. while several other SEN
ators declared they favored raising
| the maximum draft age, but opposed
! lowering the minimum
| Senator Wadsworth insisted that it
would be necessary to lower and
raise the age limits. declaring that if
all the present registrants are taken
the nation would have to stop waging
war because there would be no in
! dustrial organization left.
For Unmarried Men Over 81.
Senator Reed said unmarried men.
without dependents. between 81 and
Al years should be called before
married men in the deferred classes,
and Senator Wadsworth said this un-
doubtedly would be done
| Senator cummins said he had care
fully studied the draft, and that II all
the 100000 men registered in the
| first draft, who are physically quail
| fled for service are called there
would be a great dislocation of $50
cial and industrial life"
Favors Sending Men to Russia.
Let US make this a world war in
fact as we'll as in name." continued
Senator Wadsworth. Let Us re-
establish the eastern front, renew and
rebuild the iron ring about GERMANY
and Austria" He added that war