By Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, April 14. — Agains, the judgment of military experts as to the wise course in the present emergency, the War Department was compelled to reverse a previous ruling today and announce that under existing law, States have the right to organize new units of the National Guard. This opens the door to expansion of the existing guard force of about 11,000 men to too,000 at peace strength or more than 1000,000 on war footing. The department has planned to draw into Federal service only existing units of the guard, plus such auxiliary troops as might be needed. Twenty States have applied for permission to raise new regiments, and Secretary Baker ordered a new study of the national defense act to determine whether the acceptance of new units up to the limit, in the act was mandatory. Judge Advocate General Crowder took this view, and his ruling was approved by the secretary.
An effort to prevent immediate organization of new regiments was made simultaneously, however. The Governors were asked to see to it that existing units were filled up to peace strength before any new ones were organized. Shortage of equipment prevents the immediate acceptance of such new regiments, as the department has not had appropriations for reserve stipends, and it will take from two to three months to provide for the forces which may be organized under today's ruling. There are not enough supplies on hand to provide even for existing units at war strength. 