Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-06-28
ALL OF U. S. FORCES ARE
SAFELY LANDED ON
EUROPEAN SOIL
IN BATTLE SOON
MEN TO BE GIVEN SEASONING
BEHIND LINES AND THEN PUT
INTO ACTUAL ACTION ON WEST.
ERN FRONT.

Washington, June 2S--No time will
be lost in getting the American troops
now on French soil. to the western
firing line. =
There will be IA short period of
breaking in" just back of the trench
line and within earshot of the tremen-
dous artillery bombardments and tffen !.
the flag OF the United States, carried
by regulars, will eb planted ON the
line along side of those of England,
Belgium and France.
A total of four contingents reached
the American naval base in France
yesterday it became known at the
war department today. Only meagre
dispatches from General Pershing and
from General Siebert who commands
the force, reached Secretary Baker
| today.
! A great feet of transports was used
| to convoy the American regulars
across the Atlantic. They were pro-
tected all the way by some of the
mightiest lighting ships Of the Amer.
lean navy.
When the first announcement that
troops had landed reached this coun-
try from Par 4 yesterday afternoon.
the war department believed that on.
ly the first of the four contingents ON
their way had arrived and that the
others still were on the high seas
Official announcement was Withheld
until cable messages assured Secre
tary Baker that all four contingents
had been safely landed and that al
lowing publication Of the story would
not menace others still at sea. All
Of the American forces that have lett
the United States are on French soil.
The vessels carrying the troops
were expected to reach French port
whose name was given under sealed
orders to the masters of the ships at
three day intervals. 1t is evident from
the fact that all the American forces
: arrived in France that the transports
gathered somewhere off the Irish
coast and ran the gauntlet of the
kaiser's submarines together.
= The news that American regulars
will soon take their place in the
trenches of northern France, Is ex-
pected to prove severe blow to the
morale of the German army. The
people OF the Central powers have
} been fed upon newspaper articles be.
littling the effectiveness Of the aid
America would be prepared to give
+ her allies. The almost incredible
+ speed with which the American force
/ of American regulars was shifted from
+ the Mexican border to the French
fighting front will do much to dis
] hearten the German people-and per-
e haps promote revolt against the Ho.
r hen1ollern3.
The arrival of troops in France will
not be without its effect in this coun.
try as well Recruiting will be spur
red officials predict, by the knowledge
that almost immediate war service Is
i certain and the pulse of American pa
triots will be quickened by the knowl
edge that Uncle Sam already has wad.
e ed in and planted his flag within sight
!, of the German trenches
is Soon after the Americans take up
nj "A, he, b.n "
b lists will begin coming by cable These
j. are countde upon by officials to create
r. the real war spirit that thus far has
re people.
been lacking among the American
Rejoice in France.
A French Seaport, June 2S,--The
G American eXpeditionary forces In
v France will serve under Major Gen
eral John j. Pershing and not under
'e' any British or French commander
~ This became known definitely today
following the arrival here from Paris
ie of Major General Pershing, who came
al here with his staff to review the first
- contingents of Americans who landed
an ON French soil
." The American troops today were be
a. ing disposed about the camp, made
eu ready for their arrival here some time
'ii' ago They will remain here for
I'm short time and will then be shifted L
ne a point nearer the fighting line. wher'
liu they will receive the final training
he Il win not be many weeks before the.
i are ready 10 take over teh sector 0
II trenches assigned to them. Otlieer
vould not deal in exact dates toda
'he but it was pointed out that only
hat short time elapsed between the al
'at' rival Of the Russian contingents !
'rh' France and their first appearance O
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