SELECTIVE DRAFTS IN AMERICA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 278, 13 August 1918, Page 6

SELECTIVE DRAFTS IN AMERICA

„ — o THE MILITARY SKttVICK ACT AT WORK. Contrary to the expectation of the opponents uf the new plan, selective service has met with practically no opposition. The President had wisely judged the temper of the people. The National Army, made up ot drafted men, proved to 'be us lino a body as any volunteer organisation ever gathered together. Part of it is already giving a good account of itself in France. The first low called for the service of men from 21 to 30 years inclusive. Up to date :noro than a million and a half of these men liavo boeii' called into service without exhausting the class of men- who have no dependants. V Now, however, so dearly docs tho nation realise tho importance of the issue, that it is apparently vie.ving with a certain impatience the hesitation of the Oonuress to pass tho proposed law for the raising of the draft age. It may confidently be predicted the required,"legislation will be passed before • many weeks have elapsed. Two important ends will bo served by the proposed law. First of these, of course, will be that of rendering immediately available the men for tho fivq, million soldiers which the nation now believes it mint have. Tho second effect will be lo place the burden of service upon those men of higher ages, who have no dependants, rather than upon married men, with families, of tho lower age, and thus prevent the economic dislocation which the drafting of the heads of households inevitably entails.