Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1917-05-22
ON TO BERLIN.

The president has directed an ex-
peditionary force of approximately
one division of regular troops, under
command of Gen. John j. Pershing,
to proceed to France at as early a
date as practicable. General Pershing
and staff Twill precede the troops
abroad,
II is requested that no details or
speculation with regard to the mobili-
zation of this command, dates of de-
parture, or other items be carried by
the press, other than the official bulle-
tins given out by the war department
in regard thereto.
Announcement Of the order follow
ed the signing of the selective draft
war army bill by the president and
the issuing of a statement that under
advice of military experts on both
sides of the water the president could
not employ volunteers nor avail him
self of the fine vigor and enthusi-
asm" of former president Roosevelt
for the expedition.
The number of men in the expedi-
tionary forces has not been disclosed.
A division at war strength, however,
totals more than $4,000 men of all
arms and the approximate" division
of the war departments statement
probably will exceed that figure.
General Pershing, republican in
politics, was brigadier general when
he led the forces into Mexico in pur-
suit of the bandit Villa. His work at
that time won for him selection by
his brother general officers as major
general, and the choice was heartily
endorsed by the war department and
President Wilson himself.
In his explanation Of his reasons
for not availing himself OF the So
called Roosevelt amendment to the
army bill, Mr.. Wilson says his propo-
sal to raise volunteer corps or d. |
vision would drain the regular service
of men vitality needed to train the
millions that must be whipped into
fighting trim in all too brief time.
The list of regular officers Col.
Roosevelt desired to take with him
has been the subject of much specu-
lation and comment. Because of the
old association in Spanish war days
between Major General Leonard
Wood and Mr.. Roosevelt, it has been
regarded as virtually certain that
General Wood was the former presi- |
dents selection for supreme COM
mand Of the forces.
Under the plans of the war depart
ment Gen. Wood, by reason of his |
great experience in mobilization prob |
lens, his unfailing energy and en-
thusiasm, has been assigned the hard
est task OF any general officer. He will
direct as the commander of the south,
the training of twelve divisions, or
more than 800, 900 men, among whom
without question will be those who
will first be selected to follow Gen.
Pershing's forces to France. <Even
before the bill was signed the war
department announced that the full
strength of the national guard would
be drafted into the United States army
beginning July Is and concluding
Aug. 5. Orders to bring the regi-
ments to full war strength Immediate
ly accompanied the notifications sent
to all governors. A minimum of $685.
900 fighting men will be brought to
the colors under those orders, sup
plementing the 293, 900 regulars who
will be under arms by June Is. II is
from these forces that the first armies
to join General Pershing at the front
viii be drawn, to be followed within
a few months by recurring waves
from the seIecdve- draft armies, the
fjrst SOC. 900 men of whom will be
shilized Seufember 4. fN4