Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-06-29
NATIONAL GUARD MAY
FOLLOW THE REGULAR
SOLDIERS INTO FRANCE
Forces Now in War Zone to
Be Augmented by Other
Trained Troops Just as Soon
as Possible, 1t Is Said

WASHINGTON, June 2s.-General
Pershing's men in khaki will be aug
mnted as fast as possible by a consider
able contingent of other trained troops.
That was about as far as officials at
the war department would go today in
discussing future plans now that Amer
lean soldiers are safely on the French
terrain. Censorship and safety provi-
sions forbade that there be any details
at this time.
However, it transgresses no rules to
indicate that national guardsmen are
likely to be in the units sent abroad
ahead of the new national army None
thinks here that that army can be
nodded into fighting form before next
spring at the earliest
Meantime, other fighting forces sea-
soned by service in this country, in Mex
leo. Haiti, Santo Domingo or the Philip
pines will take their places in the
trenches of France, ready and eager for
their part in overwhelming Germany and
making the world safe for democracies.
Safe arrival of the Pershing forces
marks an epoch in army and navy his
tory. 1t was tremendous task in which
untiring men of both services had a
brilliant part
When the word for Pershings expedi-
ton to go abroad was given, the general
was studiously mapping out the prelim-
inaries. Behind barred doors in a tiny
office, he and his seasoned campaigners
mapped out the tremendous task of
transport.
FACED MIGHTY TASK.
For a time it well-nigh staggered
them. Ships were short. Submarines
-. 81
send all the divisions safely across and
transfer sufficient supplies was the
problem.
In accomplishing this, the navy
played an able part Gray sea dogs
watched the transports when they put
out from an American port. and kept a
grim vigil in the days - before they
touched at a French port.
"A single secret message in the war
Stripped OF literary Embellishments IL
only that Pershing's men had
ridden the seas safely. 1t told nothing
of the wild welcome. the almost tragic
happiness the French showed at the ar
rival.
To Washington and to the nation this
brief message, still withheld early this
forenoon, for military reasons, spelled
a tremendous thing-America's actual
trenches, the primary part of her bit to
shatter German plans for a world dom
ination that probably would comprehend
even the invasion of America.
Army authorities anticipated that full
details of the journey would be availa-
BILE before night. They did not sanction
the original publication of the arrival
news from here yesterday afternoon.
Major General Sibert, in charge of the
first troops. is an old campaigner who
has seen Cuban, Philippine and Chinese
servic as a member of the engineers.
Fifty years old, he retains a punch. He
is regular fighting man and able
leader.
The nation may expect good reports
of his labors under General Pershing.
And another man-Admiral Gleaves,
quiet, suave navy commandments
a need of praise for his handling of the
conveys for the transports.
Just what these ships were is with
held. Just how they modified and how
they journeyed unscathed is known, but
shielded
What units compose the first American
expedition, too, is a military secret for
the moment, though probably details
thereof will be announced in the forth
coming statement Of the war depart
ment
Despite the scarcity of shipping space
Americas boys in France are going to
have their little luxuries from the
home folks
The war department today detailed
Major Wright to look after mailing ar
rangements.
Although as yet the plans to send
merchandise are incomplete, 1t can be
mailed at the international parcel post
rate of 2 cents per pound.
Cigarettes and candy appeal more
than anything else to the fighting men.
After eating the regular army ration
few weeks the men develop a sweet
tooth that would put a high school or
seminary girl to shame.
So necessary are cigarettes to men
under the enormous strain on the fir
ing line that some of the European ar
mics issue them regularly to their fight
ers. As yet the United States war de-
partment has made no such arrange
ments. The men will have to depend
on their friends and relatives for them.