The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-06-28
Transports, Conveyed by
Warships, Escape Lurk-
ing Submarines.
RECORD MADE IN SPEED
Rapidity of Movement Of
Expedition Unequalled
in Present War.
CAMPS READY FOR MEN
Pershing and Entente Chiefs
VIII Decide on Exact Role
Of Troops.

VI 1TOOpSs
WAsHINoroN. June 27.-The ad-
vance guard Of the mighty army the
United States is preparing to send
against Germany is on French soil.
In defiance of the German subma-
rines thousands of seasoned regulars
and marines, trained fighting men
Mexican border, in Hayti or Santo
Domingo. still on their faces, have
been FASTENED overseas to fight beside
the French. the British, the Belgian,
| the Russian. the Portuguese and the
Italian troops on the western front.
News of the safe arrival Of the
troops sent a thrill through Wash
ington. No formal announcement
came from the Var Department.
None Will come, prob bly,. until Major
Gen. Pershing's official report has
been received. Then there may be a
statement as to the numbers and COM
position OF the advance guard.
Pershins 10 Decide Role.
The American troops will be an inde.
pendent force cooperating with the AL
lies 1T has been suggested that the
Americans might be placed between the
French and British forces as q connect
Ing link, but the exigencies OF the
| planned campaigns will govern that
question. The War Department has no
announcement to make as to Cen
Pershjpg's disposition Of his forces.
| presumably that has been left for him
to decide in conference with the Frenc..
General Stan and officials of the British
army.
Press dispatches from France. pre-
: sumably sent with the approval Of Ger.
Pershing's staff. show that Major-Gen
Sibert one Of the new Major Generals of
the army, has command of the first
force sent abroad under Gen. Pershing
as commander In chief of the expedi-
tion.
One thing stands out sharply despite
the fact that the size of the task that
has been accomplished Is not fully re-
vealed. This Is that American enter
prise has set a new record for the trans.
portation OF troops.
Task Speedily Done.
Considering the distance to be covered
and the fact that all preparations had
to he made after the order came from
the White House on the night of MAY
~. IT Is practically certain that never
before has military expedition of this
size been assembled, conveyed and landed
without mishap in so short a time by
any nation. The only rival in ma agnitude
Is the movement OF British troops to
South Africa In the Boer war, and that
was made over seas that were unham-
pered by submarines mines or other OBJ
stacles.
The American force will be a net gain
to the Allies. 1t will throw no burden
OF supply or equipment upon them. Tho
troops will be fed, clothed, armed and
equipped by the United States. Around
them al the camp on French soil to-
night are being stored supplies that will
keep them going for months. Gen.
Pershing and his STAN have been busy
for days preparing for the arrival OF the
men. Despite the enormous difficulties
that faced them, the plans of the Army
General Staff have gone through with
clocklike precision.
From border to France.
When the order came TO prepare i'm.
mediately an expeditonary force to go
to France. virtually all of the men now
across the seas were on tho Mexican
border. Gen Pershing was at his head
quarters in San Antonio There were
no army transports available In the At
lantic. The vessels that carried the
troops were scattered on their usual
routes. Army reserve stores were de-
pleted by the border mobilization Regt-
ments were below war strength.
That was the condition when President
Wilson decided that the plea Of the
French High Commission should be
answered and a force of regulars sent
2 at once to France. At this word the
War Department began to move. Gen.
, Pershing was summoned quietly to
: Washington. His arrival caused some
= speculation in the press but at the re-
, quest of Secretary Baker. the news
!, papers generally RETAINED from discus
= sion of this point
- There were a thousand other actlvi-
ties sfoot IN the department AT the time
All the business of preparing for the
y military registration OF 10000, 900, pro-
y vidng quarters and instructors for
- nearly 50.0O0 prospective officers. find-
ing arms and equipment for millions OF
y, troops to he organized. expanding the
!, regular army TO fun war strength and
> preparing and recruiting the National
:, Guard for war was at hand.
. Pershing begins Work.
Il Gen. Pershing set up the first head
quarters Of the American eypeditlonary'
IL forces In "a little office. hardly large
i enough 10 hold himself and his personal
q staff There. with the aid of the Cen
y eral stan, OF Secretary Baker and the
u chiefs OF the War Department bureaus,
Il the plans were worked out.
Announcement of the sending OF the
force under Gen Pershing was made
May IS. The press gave the news to
the country and there were daily stories.
!, There came a day when Gen. Pershing
a was no longer In the department Of