Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-30
NEWS OF U. s. TROOPS
 AT HOME AND ABROAD
Reports From General Pershing Were
 Lacking Last Night.

Washington, June 29.-Reports from Major General Pershing on the land ing of American troops in France still were lacking tonight and the personal accounts of newspa per correspondents of the scenes at the French port were again held up to wait on the official information.
 Army Officials Silent.
 Army officials maintained complete silence as to the expedition or as to plans for future movements of troops to support the advance guard. Marine corps officers were eager to learn whether the regiment of sea soldiers under Colonel Doyen, which formed part of the initial force, was first to land. The marines are proud of their record of being first in the field and are hopeful that it has been sustained in the first despatch of American fore es to fight in the Old World. Full Marine Brigade May Go Abroad.
 It appears possible today that full marine brigade eventually would be sent to France to do work as a unit of General PerShings army. With the corps raised to 30, 900 men, enough for a brigade could be spared, and officers and men want to get to the fighting front.
 Moving Steadily Ahead.
 Preparation of the great forces that are to support those already despatch ed are moving steadily ahead both in the army and navy. Announcement to- day that when the national guard is drafted into federal service and mo- biliZed it will be sent at once to the divisional training camp sites in the southeastern, southern and western departments was another step on the road. It will eliminate some delay in making the state troops ready at the front
 There has been much speculation and no authoritative announcement -I-- the national guard The existing units and those new ones that are ready for federal inspection and recognition com prise the skeleton of sixteen infantry by states, however, there would not be more than four or five divisions com plete enough to deserve that name.
 Consolidation Soon.
 It seems likely that redistribution and consolidation of the force must be taken soon after the pass into the federal service under the draft clause Of the national defense act Probably twelve or more complete infantry di- visions could be organized Certainly that number could be completed with the cavalry employed dismounted, as is now planned, and used as provision al infantry regiments.
 At full war strength the existing regiments would represent a total force of probably $50, coo men. Of that
 
 well seasoned troops who already have had six or eight months of intensive instruction and active, continuous ser vice on the border. In the judgment of army officials, this will furnish a splendid nucleus to train the new men and insure the rapid passage of the entire force through the elementary stages of its military education. The fact that the guard camps are to be of canvas seems to indicate that 1t is not expected to keep them in training on this side of the ocean for a very extended period.
 Additional Training.
 Additional training for numerous guard artillery units soon will be in progress also at the various officers training camps. At least a, battalion of field artillery has been ordered to each camp in order that the artillery officer candidates for the national army may have the means of learning the things they must later teach to the new forces. In the process valuable training will be given to the guard battalions as well. which will stand them in good stead when they reach France.
 Problem to Find Supplies.
 The greatest problem that faces the war department is to find supplies for the steadily moving host of national guardsmen which moves to it's mobif- zatlon camps some time in July or August.
 Impossible to Fill Acquisitions.
 State officials have been notified that 1t is impossible to fill acquisitions for new equipment that have been pouring in- The first force to be made ready must be the regular army, expanded to 100000. The officers training camps. where 50,000 men are under arms. also have absorbed an enormous quantity of reserve equipment
 NO HOPE OF FILLING