The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1919-08-06
Tentative Army
Plan Outlined

AOnlNO lOINs aug. Os-W nj uC-
partment recommendation for a sys-
tenn of universal military training for
three months for all eligible youths
in their nineteenth year was present
ed by Secretary Baker today to the
senate and house military commit
tees for their guidance in determin-
ing the permanent military policy of
the nation.
The proposal is contained in bill
prepared by the general staff of the
army at the secretary's direction. In
transmitting the bill, Secretary Baker
in letter said that General Pershing
had not been consulted and the plan
was tentative to that extent.
The departments bill calls for a
regular army of twenty-one divisions
and necessary auxiliary services, with
peace strength of $4,000 enlisted
men and a war strength of 100000.
The reserves to fill up the divisions
to full strength would be provided
through modified form of the selec-
tive service act under which the ma
tional army was raised for the war
with Germany. For training purposes
only youths in their nineteenth year
would be called to the colors for a
three months period to be attached
to regular divisions for that time. 1t
is estimated that this would provide
an annual class of 100000 men to be
given intensive military instruction,
stripped of all vocational or other ed
ucational features.
For two years after training the
Youths would be required to submit
certain reports giving their addresses,
changes in status as to dependents,
physical condition, etc. They would
receive 81 for each report called for
md submitted, thus encouraging the
making of reports. In the event OF
war all men in this status would be
,alled to the colors to fill up the reg
liar divisions and compose the first
,,nitc
The bill provides for reorganization
If the regular army IN substantially
he same terms as previously recon-
nended by Secretary Baker when the
.urrent army appropriation bill was
lnder consideration.
No mention of the national guard
S made in the BILL but in his letter
o the committee chairmen, Secretary
Baker said he assumed that the ma,
ional defense act would be continued
n force, making the guard subject to
liberalization for war.
One feature of the universal train
ng plan of the department is com
,lete liberalization of the registra-
ion and induction machinery. Local
nd appeal boards would be created
IS during the war, except that com
sensation at $40 a day is provid d for
oard officials but no mention is made
f employing state officials or agen-
les in carrying out the project.
Youths in training would receice no
ay, but would receive payment for
II expenses and an allowance of 50
month for incidentals. No exemp-
ions would be granted except to SOL
iers, sailors, members of the mer-
hant marine, public or private, or to
hose mentally or physically deficient,
o meet the case o. Close with de-
endents, however, provision is made
or deferring the training period.
The theory on which the bill rests
that an army of 100000 should
e available for rapid mobilization at
eed 1t provides that the complete
rganization of field army of that
re shall be maintained, the only diff
erence between peace and wartime
,oting being in the enlisted strength
he twenty infantry and one cavalry
visions would comprise that field
rmy.
To support the plan, beneral staff
Ulcers have prepared full detailed
udies of cost, systems of mobiliza-
on, administration and all other feat
res to submit whenever the congress
onal committees call for them.
ILL CARIBOU, CANADA'S PLAN
ITT.NtfnI