Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 245, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 October 1917 — 5 MILLION MAY BE CALLED [ARTICLE]

5 MILLION MAY BE CALLED

BY PRESIDENT TO MAKE UP NEW HUGE ARMIES TO HURL INTO WAR. Washington, D. C., Oct. 30.—Stupendous preparations to muster every ounce of American man power and economic resources for the defeat of Germany wjll be the answer of the United States to the Teutonic victories over the Russian and Italian armies, which mean a prolongation of the war. Here is the program, some phases of which were discussed today at the meeting of President Wilson and his cabinet: Legislation by congress authorizing the expansion of the army to a maximum of 5,000,000 men in gradual increments of half a million each. Lowering the minimum draft age to 19 and raising of the maximum draft age, possibly to 35 years. Examination of the second increment of 687,000 draft registrants, beginning in December, with a view to sending them to the training camps by early spring. Flotation of the third Liberty loan, probably for $3,000,000,000, next February. A marked increase in war taxation, particularly on the profits of business. Legislation making it possible to restrict the manufacture of non-es-sentials and to concentrate the labor power to the nation on the production of ships and munitions. The reverses suffered by the Italian armies, following closely upon the military collapse of Russia, have awakened the administration to the realization that a much more aggressive policy must be pursued by the American government. The advisers of the president who met at the cabinet table today ill concealed their discouragement over the misfortunes sustained by the entente cause in the last week, but they left no doubt of their renewed determination to redouble the efforts of America. All hope of an early peace has been dissipated. Those government officials who believed that the leaven of discontent was in Germany and that the Prussian autocracy could not much longer weather the rising storm of internal dissension now concede that their hopes have . been blighted by the successful German drive into Italy.