Arizona republican., 1917-05-02
For Fiobtino. Not Cannon Fodder

There will doubt, be manifested in this country a sentiment against sending untrained American troops France. It would be against all human ex- perience warfare. The slaughter troops pit ted against veterans in the civil is well remem bered Experts tell us that in modern warfare IT. trained troops a greater disadvantage tham formerly. That evident in any vocation which requires scientific technical skill the untrained is less useful In days when brute strength decided battles mere numbers counted. They longer unless they highly trained numbers.
 In the early period of the war the first British expeditionary force sent to France though composed soldiers trained to the warfare but quickly adapted itself to it. It had, least foundation. Later when British recruits hur ried to the front they of no other than to stop German bullets and that is which any should be specially consigned in any warfare Moreover these recruits positive assistance the advancing Germans in facilitating pancs among the trained troops allies It then that the organization of "Kitcheners Army scientifically begun And then only trained British troops have been the channel. The French among whom universal military training and service is pulsory provided the stop-gap by bringing out the reserves, young and old almost the last
 When the United States first the we were informed from both French and British sources all likelihood an American expedition ary force would not be required. Our part would be to furnish the allies with money munitions and sup plies. Now, the members of the French commits sion suggests early sending of American troops to France. Two propositions have been put forward One contempates dispatching of large force as large and early possible not for immediate fighting but for training under conditions. The other propos- ton contempates the sending of div- sions because they urgently needed moral effect of their presence upon the allied troops
 We could perhaps equip such force from the regular establishment and the national guard. It would also be possible raise exped- tonary divisions under Colonel Roosevelts plan. Lord Northciffe, however in recent article differs from the French commissioners and points that Untraned. unequipped men could be of service to the allies. The equipment required for them the horses they would need and the food they would consume while being trained in Frace would have to be pro- vided at the expense of the trained forces.
 Expert judgment against the first proposal of the Frenchmen. Only could possibly exist for hur1ying great of untraned American troops across the That would be the reason of desperation the need less of soldiers than of cannon fodder, the forlorn hope that somehow ghastly breastwork might be hurriedly thrown up.
 If such a situation exists it is late send endorsements of the only kind have. But even then that would not detract from the necessity of creating at once as large army possible of trained soldiers. Indeed there would be need of the greater hurry in the creation of such army.
 In any event time is be lost It will not do to proceed eisurey in the hope that the allies will win without active participation in the It is duty to equip ourselves that may shorten the war if it is not ended when ready. In the other event we must be prepared against its after math.