The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1917-07-05
PLAN ~ lIgJiIlIs S0tJ liIp
.s4 ABROAD 1. 8


Washinston. b. G., june aosRe
ports from Maj, Gen. Pershins on ii,
landing Of the Americar troops Il
France still were lacking tonight agt
the accounts Of newspaper CORE,
spondents Of the scenes At Frenci
port again were held up to wait ot
the official information. Army off.
cials maintained silence IS to the ex.
petition or the plans for future move
ments of troops 70 support the ad-
vance guard. .-s l1. .S I,
| Marine Corps officers were eager
to learn whether the regiment Of sea
soldiers under Col. Doyen which
formed part of the initial force, was
first to land. The marines general
ly are proud Of their record Of being
! first in the field and are hopeful that
it has been sustained in the first dis
patch of American forces to fight in
the Old World HI
| 1t appears possible that a full
marine brigade eventually will be
sent to France to work as unit Of
Gen. Pershing's army. With the
corps raised to 10000 men, enough
for brigade could be spared and Of
ficers and men want to get to the
fighting front. se
Preparation of the great forces that
are Ito support those already dis
patched are moving steadily ahead,
both in the army and navy, An
nouncement that when the National
Guard is drafted into Federal service
and modified it will be sent at once
to the divisional training camp sites
IN the Southeastern, Southern and
Western Departments was another
step on the road. 1t will eliminate
some delay in making the State
troops ready for the front.
There has been much speculation
as to use to be made of the National
Guard. The existing units and those |
now that are ready for Federal in
spection and recognition, comprise !
the skeleton of rs infantry divisions.
Under present distribution by states,
there would not be more than four
or five divisions complete enough to
deserve that name.
1t seems likely that redistribution
and consolidation of the forces must
be undertaken soon after they pass
into the Federal service under the
draft clause of the national defense
act. Probably I2 or more complete
infantry divisions could then be or
ganized, with the cavalry employed
dsmounted.
At full war strength the existing
regiments would represent q total
force of probably $4,000 men, OF
that number at least one-third are
fairly well seasoned troops.
In the judgment of army officials
this will furnish splendid nucleus to
train the men and insure the rapid
passage of the entire force through
The elementary stages of its military
The fact that guard camps are to
,e of canvas seems to indicate that it
$ not expected to keep them in train i.
ng on this side of the ocean for an
period.
Additional training for numerous
guard artillery units soon will be in
progress also at the various officers
raining camps. At least a battalion
# field artillery has been ordered. to
'ach camp in order that the artillery
,fficer candidates for the national
.rmy may have the means Of learn /,
ne the things they must later teach
0 the new forces. In the process 6
'aluablc training will be given to the :,
'attalions which will stand IN good !.
tead when they reach France.
The greatest problem that faces !
he War Department 10 to find SUPPL
lies for the steadily increasing host
( National Guardsmen.
State officials have been notified :
hst i Is impossible 70 fin reQaisi- I
ons for new equipment that. have
cen pouring in The first force to .
: made ready must be tie regular i !,
rmy. expanded to 100000 men. The !
Ulcers training camp, where soooo
IN are under arms, also have alb ].
,fbed Al enormous quantity Of ~ 4
ave equipment sssi i f .sss.
IA careful inspection sof III eqaip- !.
~ - the hands 1T TIE |fttgpll =
SlSfd i being made TO Asceftaia The j :.
ll3Iiis neeeSSities 81 tie fofees ]. ].
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