The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-04
VOLUNTEER ARMY OF
100000 NEW PLAN
Recruits to Be Enlisted in
Place of Holding 32 Di-
visions in France.
BAKER STATES POLICY
Congress Demands Spirit of
Draft Law Be Observed
and Men Released.
Special DespotcA TO TIE SpS.

WARRINGTON, Jan. 3.-Yielding at last
to the clemor OF criticism directed
against the policy OF holding In the ser
vice volunteers and men drafted Tor
the war emergency Secretary Baker 10
day announced a new policy OF the War
Department to the Mouse Military Com
mittee. Instead Of retaining thirty-two
divisions in France. made up OF men
who entered the service presumably only
for the period of hostilities. and Keeping
ten divisions of these men In the camps IN
this country Secretary Baker said 1t had
been decided to recruit a volunteer army
Of 500. 900 men for service here and IN
Europe under the old three year enlist
ment plan.
It has been the general understanding
OF Congress that a million and quarter
men were to be held In France for po-
lice and other duty. and that the war
Department intended to hold ten divi-
sions-450 900 men-in the camps In the
United States for an indefinite period.
The only explanation given at the War
Department was that these troops were
to be held for emergencies.
Demand Law BE Observed.
To the thousands of appeals of SOL
diers to be released from military ser
vice TO resume normal occupations and
the appeals of those dependent ON them
have been added in the last few days
demands from members Of Congress that
the spirit Of the selective service act
be lived up to and that men drafted for
the war emergency be discharged. The
same demand WAS made on behalf OF
those who voluntarily enlisted for the
war.
Only about half OF the contemplated
volunteer army OF 100000 will he kept
in Europe. the committee was given TO
| understand. the other half being used 10
man posts In this country and in outly-
| ing possessions.
Secretary Baker in reply TO questions
| b. Representative Kahn (Cal) said
frankly he had not formulated a policy
! In regard to universal military traininc
and thought It wiser to let that question
go over until after the details Of peace
we're settled at Versailles. Mr.. Kahn
raised no objection to this plan.
Purchase Of all environments now used
BY tho army and National Guard camps
WAS recommended by Secretary Baker
Ho ALEC urged the purchase OF three Of
the artillery training camps rather thar
the continued rental OF these properties
The need OF the cantonment purchases
he said, was because 1t was intended &c
train the American Army in future II
divisional units. and the large canton
nents would meet the necessity.
100000 DemobiIi.ed Already.
The three artillery training fields thu
War Department proposes to keep arr
located at West Point. Ky. Fayetteville
y. c.. and Columbus. Ga
Providing a voluntary army OF 500.
600 men will mean that all volunteer!
and drafted men IN the United States
and Europe can be out OF the service
within six months Mr.. Baker estimated
II, said that 100000 men had been de
inohiiized already. and he was assured
men would be returned from Europe nov
AT the rate Of 2t0. 900 a month. II va
lhoped to increase this number soon.
NJ. Baker denied part of the repor
Of conditions at Brest, the French por
from which American troops are leaving
This report which has asitated Congress
considerably, said American troops wer
ouartered in a sea OF mud and were no
properly taken care OF Mr. Baker sal
that while this report contained obviou
mistakes nevertheless II was true thu
the old mud defences OF Brest mae
hard to drain and that often 1t rain
three or four times day. The Amer
can camp is on a hill, however to avoi
the mud as far as possible Mr.. Bake
explained that II Is necessary to br!n
the American troops home through IN
western ports OF France and that Franc
lust now Is seethin; with troops OF n
American and allied armies. complcat
ing somewhat tine problem OF moNin
american soldiers.