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Show ENLISTMENT IS TOIJpiFT No Volunteers for Army or Navy Taken ; Orders Effective Now. WASHINGTON, Aug. 8. Voluntary en-the en-the bill proposing to amend draft agres to pended completely today to prevent disruption dis-ruption of industry pending disposition of listments in the army and navy weresus-tnclude weresus-tnclude all men between 18 and 45 years. Orders were Issued by Secretaries Baker and Daniels directing that no voluntary enlistments bo accepted after today until un-til further orders. The orders also exclude civilians from appointment to officers training camps until further notice. The orders were issued after a conference confer-ence between Secretary Faker and Sec-rotary Sec-rotary Daniels and were made public after President Wilson had visited the oftlces of both secretaries late in the day. It is not known whether his visit had to do with the enlistment situation, but just before he conferred with the cabinet officers there was no indication that a step of snich drastic nature was anticipated. antici-pated. It was explained that the view of the government is that many of the older men are indispensable in their present occupations, but the natural result of the debate on the draft age question is certain cer-tain to lead to a rush to the recruiting offices. It is regarded as essential that (Continued on Page Four.) EIISTilTSlTO" HT m DRAFT (Cntinued from Page One.) t men greatly needed at home should be prevented from rushing: into the army under a mistaken idea that they are certain cer-tain to be drafted anyhow and prefer to join the service voluntarily. The war department's action was announced an-nounced in the following statement issued is-sued by Secretary Baker: The war department today has suspended sus-pended further volunteering and the receipt of candidates for officers' training camps from civil life. This suspension will remain in force until the legislation now pending before congress with regard to the draft ages is disposed of, and suitable regulations regu-lations drawn up, to cover the operation opera-tion of the selective system under the new law. This action is taken In order to prevent the disruption of the indus try of the country and the impairment impair-ment of the efficiency of the various governmental agencies which would follow the indiscriminate enlistment of men up to the age" of 45. It is the intention of the department depart-ment to present to the president for promulgation regulations In connection connec-tion with the operation of the selective se-lective system which will make it truly selective, and leave it to the government to determine whether men can be spared from their present occupations for military service. Secretary Daniels, in issuing an order to the chief of navigation and the commandant com-mandant of the marine corps to refuse acceptance- of enlistments, made this explanation ex-planation : "The large increase in enlistments in the navy and marine corps has made it possible to suspend further enlistment until pending legislation affecting the draft for the army is disposed of. When it is resumed, it will be in full co-operation with the war department, under arrangements ar-rangements which will secure all the men needed for both services." Extension of the draft system to the navy is not regarded as necessary at this time by the navy department. Rear Admiral Ad-miral Palmer, chief of the bureau of navigation, navi-gation, told the senate military committee the navy has practically ail the men it needs and that enlistments would not be affected by changing the army draft ages. Enlistments in the navy now total approximately ap-proximately 430,000 men, said Admiral Palmer, who represented Secretary Daniels Dan-iels before the committee. Admiral Palmer explained that enlistments enlist-ments now are primarily to provide crews for the merchant marine and that about 200,000 men have been accepted for that purpose. Even if the present bill is enacted en-acted he said that the navy -would have no difficulty in recruiting 15,000 men a month. Enlargement of the American army program, requiring extension of the draft ages, was decided upon in accordance with recommendations of the military section of the supreme war council at Versailles. Ver-sailles. Secretary Baker disclosed this today, and said a new appropriation bill covering increased army expenses to accompany ac-company the draft age extension measure was about ready for submission to congress. con-gress. A general army order was issued today creating the army of the United States, in which every element of the existing forces is merged, regardless of its origin. By the provisions of the order, the terms regular army, national guard, national army and reserve corps are abolished for all purposes and with them go all insignia in-signia other than the plain "U. S." monogram mono-gram heretofore reserved for regulars only. The order issued by General March, chief-of-staff, is sweeping and drastic In its terms, cutting off absolutely all restrictions re-strictions upon transfers of men or officers of-ficers from one branch of the service to the other and amending all commissions to read as in the army of the United States. Promotion by selection is also made absolute, except the permanent advancements ad-vancements in the regular army, which is a peace time status only and is covered by law. |