The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-08-09
WAR DEPARTMENT
URGES TRAINING
All Eligible Youths Wculd Spend
Time in Intensive Work
Plans Carefully Drawn

WASHINGTON. Aug. 4.-War depart
ment recommendation for system
of universal military training of three
months for all eligible youths in their
18th wear was presented by Secretary
Baker today to the senate and house
military committee for their guidance
in determining the permanent military
policy Of the nation.
The proposal is contained in bill
prepared by the general sta1 or the
army at the secretary's direction. In
transmitting the bill. Secretary Baker,
in a letter said that General Pershing
had not been consulted and the plan
was tentative to that extent.
The departments bill calls for
regular army of p divisions and
necessary auxiliary services. with
peace strength of $4,000 enlisted
men, and war strength of l,25O, 900.
The reserves to fill up the divisions 10
full strength would be PROVIDED
through a modified form OF the selec-
tive service act under which the ma
tional army was raised for the war
with Germany For training purpos-
es, only youths in their 18th year
would be called to the colors for
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 Instructions
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
and submitted, thus encouraging the
making of reports. Ii the event OF
war all men in this status would be
called to the colors to fill up the reg
ular divisions and compose the first
replacement units
The bill provides for reorganization
of the regular army in substantially
the same terms as previously recon-
mended by Secretary Baker when the
current army appropriation was under
consideration.
No mention of the national guard
is made in the bill. but in his letter
Baker said he assumed that the ma
.ional defence act would be continued
in force making the guard subject to
LIBERALIZATION for war.
Nne feature of the universal train
ing plan of the department is complete
liberalization Of the registration and
induction machine. Local and appeal
boards would be created as during the
war. except that compensation of $40
day is provided for board officials
but no mention made of employing
State officials or agencies in carrying
out the project.
Youths in training would receive no,
pay, but would receive payment for
all expenses and allowances OF S5
month for incidentals. No exemptions
would be granted except to soldiers,
sailors, members of the merchant ma
rine, public or private, or to those
mentally or physically deficient. To
meet the case of those, with depend
ents however, provision is made for
deferring the training period
The theory on wficn the bill rests
is that an army of 100000 should be
available for rapid mobilizationTat|
need. 1t provides that the complete
organization Of field army of that
size shall be maintained, the only diff
ference between peace and war time
footing being in the enlisted strength.
The 20 infantry and one cavalry di-
vision would comprise that field
army.
To support the plan, general staff
officers have prepared full detailed
studies of cost, systems of mobilization
administration and all other features
which the department is prepared to
submit whenever the congressional
committees call for them.