Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-30

that all those which had
sailed from the United
States, have arrived safe
Iy and that some already
are in training within
sound of the guns, on the
battle front.
They are showing a spirit in keepiag.
VITA the purpose Of all concerned to
make the American expeditionary
force a homogeneous American army
in which each division, whether reg
ular, national guard or national army,
cannot be distinguished in efficiency
from the others. The former state
troops are billeted over a wide area
and are pronounced excellent soldiers.
Welcomed BY Regular Army.
The guardsmen have been arriving in
the American zone for many weeks
! They are scattered somewhat, but as
far as possible The units from the same
l state have been kept close together.
except in one case. They found the
regular army had made good prep
arations for them, and while many are
billeted in houses in French towns,
others have been quartered in low
wooden barracks specially erected.
| The troops from the various states
have been recognized by the French
population and have been welcomed
enthusiastically.
! Many of the units on arriving in bill
let towns wore the French red, white
and blue cockade pinned to their cam
paign hats. These were given to the
/ soldiers when they landed at base
ports.
/ After a sufficient time to rest from
| the journey, which in some cases has
been extremely tiresome, the troops
have been set TO work training for ac-
tual service at the front. In all quar-
/ tiers they are declared to be most en-
thusiastic and their soldierly qualities
have drawn high praise from the
French instructors.
Units are in Training.
During the last few days one unit
has been working with grenades and
automatic rifles, while another has
been working out military problems in
manuevres. Another unit has been in
the instruction trenches which brings
them as near as possible to actual
fighting conditions. Many Of the for
mer guardsmen in training have heard
guns roaring in the distance. They
are all being given the same course OF
~. nj
regulars have undergone.
| The guardsmen are all in good
health. The reason why it Is not per
mitted TO mention units by name is
! that if one is mentioned the way Is
open to mention all others, which
! means the revealing Of Identification
numbers and other information which
is of Importance to the enemy.
But for the information of the rela.
tives and families of the men. every
one who sailed from the United States
has arrived safely in France.
Soon in Front Line Trenches
Washington, Nov. 30-Announce-
ment of the arrival in France OF the
first national guard units gave tbs
first official notice that an extensive
: troop movement had been accomplish
J ed despite hostile submarines, short
age Of troop and supply ships and 9th
er obstacles, but without the loss OF
man. Thousands of men have beer
. moved to the seaboard from all parts
of the country, loaded on transport:
and safely landed in France. without
any general knowledge of the fact:
having been disclosed TO the country
: at large.
War department officials were graf
{ fled at General Pershing's decision
to announce the arrival OF the nation
al guard forces, but permission L
publish the destinations OF the guart
units now at the training eenters il
France still is withheld.
: IT can be stated. however. that tn
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