The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-19
Our First Troops to Aid in
Holding King Albert's Line.
Help Right Wrongs That Turned
World Against Germany.
ALL OF BELGIUM THAT is LEFT
International Duty of Protect
ing Bleeding Nations Strip.
Sentimental Status of Waving
Flag Over Violated Soil.

Washington, May 19.-American
troops, when they go to the European
battle front, may take places to but
tress the little Belgian line, so tenac-
iously holding fast to strip on the
extreme west-all of Belgium that
escaped the German invaders.
The war department today had no
announcem ent to add to its terse hull
letin of last night which merely said
Major General Pershing would lead
a division of regulars abroad 'at as
early a date as practicable.
But President Wilson's statement
explaining his reasons for not accept
ing at this time Colonel Roosevelt's
offer of n division contained a phrase
which has attracted much attention
and suggested the possibility that
American troops may go to Belgium
to help right the wrongs which turn
ed the world against Germany.
The president explained that the
regular army officers whom the col
onel wanted to take with his division
were needed for "the much more
pressing and necessary duty of train
ing regular troops to he put in tho
field in France and Belgium as fast as
they can be got ready
Our Part for Humanity.
So far as known, that was the first
official mention of putting American
troops in Belgium and the sentimental
status of sending troops bearing the
American flag to the violated soil of
, the little country in whose behalf all
/ humanity has been aroused has quick
! ly been recognized. Those who favor
! it, point out that since the United
States entered the war to defend hui
mainly against German aggression, its
troops could not be better employed
than in behalf of the most outraged
nation of all humanity.
OF course, American troops would
be used otherwise too, but in taking
place in the Belgian line they would
release British and possibly French
troops for other points.
Destination a Secret
No infol nation Will be given out 8
to the date or places of departure of
General l'ershing and his staff, who
will precede the troops TO Europe.
Destinations will also be withheld I'M
til troops have been safely landed.
Preparations for sending of tho
first expedition of regulars moved for
ward swiftly today, but entirely with
out publicity except as to the partici-
patton of the marines. full regi-
ment of which was ordered abroad
with the regulars to make good the
first to fight slogan of the corps.
1t can be said authoritatively, now
ever, tha- the government proposes-to
give the troops every possible advan-
tage of training and equipment to fit
them fo.- their task.
Used to Big Guns
All military advisers have agreed
that additional training within sound
of the guns at the front must be given
to forces taken to the battlefields in
France before they take their places
in the line The regulars of the expe-
dictionary force are certain to have
that training. In placing new divisions
in the line of battle, Great Britain has
| followed the practice of accustomins
the men gradually to the work before
them. The first hundred thousand of
the Kitchener army was put in with
each battalion thanked by veteran Brit
p, fsh or French troops, until it found
| itself.
Pershing in Conference.
Presumably General Pershing will
select, in conference with French and
British officials when he reaches the
| scene of action. the location for the
American training camps and the part
/ of the line to which American troops
| will later be assigned, will also be
determined then.
| The machinery to build the armies
that are to follow Pershing's, was in
| full motion today. Early reports in
/ dicated a tremendous stimulation of
/ recruiting. both for the regular army
and the national guard, as a result of
the announcement last night and the
publication of the presidents procla-
nation fixing June as registration
/ daV for the geIactiye dra fl