The Washington times., 1921-07-31
WARDEPT. BACKS
NEW SELECTWE
SERVICE MEASURE
Early Enactment OF Law to Re-
place Draft Act Is
Sought.
By THOMAS KIRBY.

Early enactment OF selecuVe
service act to be placed on the statute
books to become Immediately effective
in case Of q national emergency is a
plan that is strongly supported In
certain quarters Of the War Depart
ment.
Opening of the civilian training
camps, switching of personnel to
places that will add to their effective
ness and administrative details cover
ing q wide range in the reorganfza-
ton Of the national defense, have thus
far kept General Pershing and his
associates so busy since coming into
office less than a month ago. that they
have had little opportunity to con-
slider the fundamental laws that will
govern the Army.
Although war was declared In April,
1917, II was nearly six months later
before the national Army. composed
Of draftees, had commenced to func-
ton and 1t Is in order 70 prevent such
months Of delay in the future that
certain influential officials at the De-
partment feel that draft law should
be Immediately passed and enacted.
1t is pointed out that II such a sat
isfactory national regulation automat-
ically commenced to operate immedi-
ately after war might be declared the
delay Of months could he reduced to
weeks and weeks to days before
America began getting her full man.
power in the field.
Shy In Enlisted Personnel.
The reduction of the Army to 150.-
600 for peace times has served TO
center attention upon tho necessity
for speed should mobilization again
be ordered. In addition TO the regu-
lar commissioned personnel there are
today available about $1,000 reserve
officers, who would AT once go TO
designated posts when the call came.
AS matters now stand. however, such
a plan would be virtually useless SO
far as the line Is concerned, for, once
arriving at camp, these reserve lead
ers would have no troops available to
train. In addition to the $4,000,
about 10000 more civilian soldiers will
be In camp during the next month
taking the intensive courses calculat-
cd to prepare them for commissions.
While General Harboard, assistant
chief OF staff. has been practically
acting chief of staff for several weeks,
General Pershing has devoted much Of
his attention to matters affecting the
national guard and organized reserve.
He has pointedly directed that in the
Assignment Of officers for instruction
OF these two branches of the national
defense. that every effort be made
to furnish the most capable aides pos
sibla, explaining that in case of an
other emergency these two groups
would be expected to Immediately go
into uniform and perfect preparation
while the selected service men were
being gathered.
Legion Backs Compulsory Service.
High officials at the War Depart
ment and many Senators had long
hoped for the adoption OF a plan of
compulsory military training for every
citizen between certain ages In this
they had the support Of the American
Legion, members of which so keenly
felt the delays OF the summer of 1917.
But the attitude of Congress was 81
strongly opposed to compulsory sol
diering that the proposed legislation
was lost and the general staff must
now search for the best available sub
stitute.
Just at present there is no dearth
OF officers. Battle trained line Off
GERS and war trained staff officers
are available by the tens of thousands,
and this condition will continue for
several years. But in the meantime
the staff must consider how to fill
the ranks, and the suggestion that has
thus far been most strongly supported
has been the plan for the immediate
enactment of a selective service law.
One Of the principal tasks in this re.
spect would be in working out the de-
tails as to registration, place of in
duction, and choice of draft boards.
1t has been tentatively suggested