The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-05-19
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FRENCH FRONT
Expeditionary Force of One
Division
TO START AT ONCE
Contingent Being Organized From
Regular Army With Greatest
Care and Expedency

Washington, May 19.-President
Wilson last night ordered that a divi-
sion of regular troops commanded by
Maj-Gen. John j. Pershing be sent ia
France at the earliest practicable
date. This is the answer of America
to Frances plea that the stars and
stripes be CARED to the fighting front
without delay to hearten the soldiers
there. Following is the text OF the
terse announcement of the war de-
partment as to Gen Pershing's ex'
pedition:-
"The president has directed an eX-
peditionary force OF approximately
one division of regular troops under
command of Gen. John J. PeIshing to
proceed to France at as early date
as practicable. Gen Pershing and
staff will precede the troops abroad.
1t is requested that no details or spec
ulations with regard to the mobiliza-
ton of this command, dates OF de-
parture or other items, be carried by
the press, other than the official bull
letin given out by the war department
relative thereto"
Announcement of the order follow
ed signing of the selective draft war
army bill by the president, and the is
suing of statement that under ad-
vice of military ,experts on both sides
of the water, the president could not
employ volunteers nor avail himself
of the fine vigor and enthusiasm" of
former President Roosevelt for the
expedition.
The army law provided for an ulti-
mate force of approximately 2,OO0,-
600 men to back up the first troops to
go to the front. When the bill had
been signed the president affixed his
name to proclamation calling upon
all men in the country between the
ages of 81 and 80 inclusive, to register
themselves for military service on
June 5 next. The proclamation sets
in motion Immediately machinery that
will enrol and sift 10,000,000 men and
pave the way for the selection of the
first 100000 young efficient soldiers
without gripping the industries or
commerce of the nation or bringing
hardship on those at home.
Even before the bill was signed the
war department announced that the
full strength of the national guard
would be drafted into the United
States army beginning July 10, and
concluding August ). Orders to bring
the regiments to full war strength
Immediately accompanied the notifica
ton sent to all governors. A mini
mum of $4,000 fighting men will be
brought to the colors under those or
ders, supplementing the 293 900 regu-
lars who will be under arms by June
10. 1t is from these forces that the
first armies to join Gen Pershing at
the front will be drawn, to be fol
lowed within few months by re-
curing waves from the seective draft
armies, the first 100000 of whom will
be modified September l.
Gen Pershing has been in Wash
ington some days. He was person
ally summoned by Secretary Baker
from the southern department which
was under his command until to-
nights order was issued. The man
who led the expedition into Mexico
such judgment and skill as to win
for him the complete confidence of
the president and his advisers, has
worked hard on plans for the eX-
pedition to France. He has been in
daily conference with Secretary
Baker, Maj-Gen. Bliss, acting chief
of staff. with department officials CO.
operating in the preparation of the
forces he will lead against the Ger
mans, and also with Lieut-Gen.
Bridges, head of the military section
of the British mission and veteran
of the battlefields of France
Nothing that either French or Brit
ish officers have been able to furnish
in the way of information has been
lacking and there is every indication
that the regular forces which will
compose the expeditionary division
are being selected with greatest care.
No inkling of the plans for that di-
vision have been allowed to leak out
1t is known, however, that orders
have already gone forward to officers
of tried judgment and long experience
notifying them to prepare for foreign
service.
The war in Europe has developed
many phases of battle not here tofore
known in military science. Artillery
has decided the fate of many battles
and every army has doubled and
trebled its guns, both in size and mum
ber For this reason it was thought
likely that the expeditionary forces
would include disproportionate mum
ber of artillery troops and be backed
by a solid wall of guns when it comes
TO grips with the enemy.