South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-06-30
ARMY AND NAVY
RUSHING WORK
National Guard May be Con-
SoIidated and Troops
RediStributed.

RediStrlbuted.
g.
WASHINGTON. June 3O.-Re-
ports from Mai. Gen. Pershing on
the landing Of American troops in
France still were lacking Friday
night and the personal accounts OF
newspaper correspondents Of the
scenes at the French port again were
held up 10 wait on official informa-
ton. Army officials maintained com
plete silence as 10 the expedition or
as 10 plans for future movements of
troops 10 support the advance guard.
Marine corps officers We're eager
10 learn whether the regiment Of sea
soldiers under Col. Doyen. which
formed part o. the initial force was
first 10 land. The marines generally
are proud of their record OF being
first in the field and are hopeful that
IL has been sustained in the first
despatch of American forces 70 fight
in the old world
Il appears possible Friday that a
full marine brigade eventually would
be sent 10 France 10 work as a unit
Of Gen. Pershings army. With the
corps raised 10 10000 men. enough
for a brigade could be spared, and
officers and men want 10 get TO the
lighting front.
Prepare for Support.
Preparation OF the great forces
that are TO support those already
dispatched are moving steadily
ahead both in the army and navy.
Announcement that when the ma
tional guard is drafted into federal
service and modified it will be sent
at once 10 the divisional training
camp sites was another step on the
road. IL will eliminate delay in max
ing state troops ready for the front.
There has been no authoritative
announcement as 10 the use 10 be
made Of the national guard. Exist
ing units and those new ones that
are ready for recognition. comprise
the skeleton of IS infantry divisions.
Under present distribution by states
however, there would not he more
than four or FIVE divisions complete
enough 10 deserve that name.
IL seems likely that redistribution
and consolidation Of the force must
be undertaken soon after they pass
into the federal service under the
draft clause of the national defense
act Probably y or more complete
infantry divisions could then be or
ganized.
Total Force of 100000.
At full war strength the existing
regiments would represent total
force OF probably $4,000 men. of
that number at least one-third are
fairly well seasoned troops who
have had six or eight months Of in
tensive instruction on the border.
The fact that the guard camps are
20 he OF canvas seems 10 indicate
that il is not expected 10 keep them
in training on this side OF the ocean
for very extended period.
Additional training for numerous
guard artillery units soon will he in
progress also 81 the various officers
training camps At least battalion
OF field artillery has been ordered TO
each camp in order that the artil-
lery officer candidates for the ma
tional army may have the means
OF learning the things they must
teach 10 the new forces
Problem of Supplies.
The greatest problem that faces
the war department is to find sup
plies for the increasing host of ma
tional guardsmen. State officials have
been notified that il is impossible to
fiji acquisitions for new equipment
that have been pouring in. The first
force 10 he MADE ready must he the
regular army. expanded TO 500, 900.
The officers training camps, where
1000 men are under arms. also
have absorbed an enormous quantity
of reserve equipment.
Guard regiments now have wagon
trains. These will be employed at
the divisional camps. When the reg
iments 60 10 France. however. the
government VIII be able 20 supply
them with full motor transport as il
has already sought bids for more
than 10000 motor trucks of various
kinds.
Decrease Hawaiian Unit.
An odd situation has arisen in
connection with one part OF the ma
tionad guard. The militia bureau has
been forced 10 recommend that the
allotment Of Hawaii under the ma
tional defense act be materially re-
duced. IL has been recommended
that two regiments of infantry and
three coast artillery companies be
stricken from the list. The Islands
have a population, exclusive Of
aliens. OF about $4,000. Under the
original plan 10000 would be requir-
ed for the national guard, which is
too large a proportion 10 be secur-
ed under any circumstances.
The government. it was learned
today. already is taking steps 10
| look after the comforts of the troops
| in France in addition 10 its regular
military preparations The state de
partment has asked that the French
duty on tobacco be RENTED on sup
plies sent 10 the American forces
there.