The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-05-19
With Staff He Will Leave at
Once to Be Followed Speed
lily by $4,000 Men
FIRST OF ARMY WHICH
MAY REACH MILLIONS
Expeditionary Force Expected
to Have Great Moral lnhu-
ence Upon French Urged by
french Mission

w dSIi1liS GOii, Wdy 10
President Wilson tonight
ordered an expeditionary force
of American troops to the
trenches in France.
In signing the CONSUMPTION
bill, which provides for the
recruitment of an army of $780,
900 by selective draft, the
president rejected the volun-
teer divisions offered by Theo-
dore Roosevelt for service in
France, and directed the war
department to prepare a force
of $4,000 regulars for i'm
mediate dispatch to the battle
front.
They will be the flower Of
the army and will be led by
General John J. Pershing-
BLACK Jack" he is in the
camps and environments Of the
Philippines and along the Rio
Grande. General Pershing, 40
companied by his headquarters
staff, will proceed to France at
once. His command will follow
as fast as their organizations
are effected and equipment and
transportation provided. :
The sentimental expedition
is the direct result of the repre-
sensations of Marshal Joffre
and Vice Premier Vivian Of
France. It had been opposed by
the general staff of the army.
To Start Troops Soon.
Every bit of machinery at the dis
posal Of tho government tonight was
working with one object in view o
start the troops who will carr Old
Glory overseas on their way at the
earliest possible moment and with the
very best OF everything the nation af-
fords.
Other troops TO reinforce them will
he sent as rapidly as the general stoff
believes advisable. The national guard
was ordered into the federal service
today, .the mastering in TO take place
on July 5, July Is and August 5. re-
spectively The president late to-
night issued "A proclamation setting
June ) as the date for registration OF
all men between the ages of twenty
one and thrty-one for military ser
vice. Out OF the 100000 who will
register 500 900 will be selected FOR
.sv,,V 50 -
Signs Army Bill
President Wilson signed the con-
scription bill at o'clock tonight. /.
had been sent to the war department
from congress at about 5 O'clock. It
then bore the signature of Vice presi-
dent Marshall and Speaker Champ
Clark. Judge Acknowledgement Crow
der. L. S. A.. inspected the copy CT
the bill and turned it over to Secre-
tary Baker The latter carried tho
! engrossed copy to the White House
at o'clock. He turned II over 10
President Wilson. who left il on the
desk in his study while he went to
! dinner
The president left the dining room
at 1855. He walked to his study alone
and signed the bill as he would any
/ incidental measure that might come
before him for approval There was
no more Formally about it than il he
had been approving the erection of a
new federal building at Oshkosh or q
postoffice at Pride's Crossing
The president then called the ex-
ecutive clerk of the White House. Ru-
dolph Forster. and authorized states
ment dec2ring his reasons for reteet-
ing Colonel Roosevelt's offer OF four
volunteer divisions. He also signed
the proclamation setting a registra-
i ton day
1t was Immediately announced that
the president had signed the bill and
! the newspapers We're advised that
/ important information would be
/ given out at the war department
! little later. The information, which
burst like a hombshell In the capital,
was contained In the following state>
ment:
/ The Historic Order.
/ 1.-The president has directed m
!, cxpcditionary force of approx
matcly one division of regular
troops, under command OF Gem
crnl John J. Pcrshing. to proceed
| TO France at Ms carly q date ~
practicable. General PeraIninR
NJ DNNTNC