Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-05-03
SEVERAL UNITS WILL BE
DISPATCHED FIGHT
IN TRENCHES?
KEEP MOVE SECRET
NO INFORMATION TO GO OUT OF
OFFICIAL CIRCLES TOUCHING
UPON PLANS OF GOVERNMENT
IN ENGINEERING EXPEDITION.
BY JOHN EDWIN NFNlN
international News Service Staff Cor
respondent)


respondentl
Washington, D. c., May 3 - Sent
ment for the sending to the battic
front in France as soon as possible
of an American expedition continued
today increase in official quarters. It
is believed certain that the assem-
bling of the initial units will soon De
authorized Just when such an expe-
ditjcn would 90 forward and how. mnst
remain a military secret. So must the
units that will be given the honor al
tho II Is considered almost certain
that the regular army Will contribute
the greater part.
In connection with the series OF
meetings that are going on here De-
tween the visiting French and British
army experts and the officers OF the
general staff correct line on the ap-
palling losses that are being suffered
in the intensive fighting has been
gained As an instance the stan toiu
that during the fortnights hghting
ending last Sunday at midnight the
/ French losses in killed, wounded ana
captured totalled 111,0O0, while the
British losses on the comparatively
small sector over which they are hight
ing was $1,000 q total for the Entente
on the west front of 10000. 1t was
asserted that the German losses ex-
ceeded this figure inasmuch as their
great series OF counter attacks were
launched in massed formation, which
permitted the Allied artillery to sim.
ply exterminate certain units.
, Because of these great losses and
the necessity for filling the gaps in the
line the participation in the actual
fighting by the American troops VIII
be greatly appreciated, The French
and British officers say.
' They declare also that In view OF
, the shortage of transport and across
Seas movement will of necessity have
to be in small shipments to provide for
successful conveys The plans that tie
general staff now have before them on
| which recommendation shortly VIII
be made to the president thru Sec
retary of War Baker are as follows:
First THAT an initial expedition
commanded by General l.. Scott, now
chief of staff, be made up and sent for
ward to train for actual service behind
the French lines, then taking over
| certain transport sections and fnal-
: ly moving into place in the trenches.
This force would be as large as could
. be secured by drawing on all available
}, trained men of the regulars and the
n ultra crack organizations of the Ma
r. tional guards But inasmuch as most
n of the regular national guard orsani-
Y cations have been decimatod by dis.
- charges Of married men since their re-
turn from The border and are now
:, even far below peace strength, il IS
4 not believed many such units world
be available.
- Serond--SeectiCn of leo officers
g above the rank Of captain to send r.
the British and French fronts 10 have
actual experience on the firing line so
that they could be oualifel in latter
. day war problems and later act as in.
, structors TO this objection Is raised
that these officers are greatly needed
fer the new armies soon to be or
q ganized undar the draft plan One OF
" hoth of tho ahove nlans nrobablv will
no annroved NV the yeneral staff
rho o,eation oe oficars for tho new
orwv nos hoo, got,,od m secpre ma