Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-05-03
SENDING TROOPS ABROAD

AZ OHeTeQ 10 SEM an American
army to Europe whenever the Allies think they want it.
That is the situation in a nutshell. The sending Of
American troops abroad in the near future has been OPP
posed by the army general staff on military grounds, and
1t is also opposed strenuously by those pacihsts who for.
months counselled submission to. the German demands.
who opposed the entrance Of the United States into the
war. and who. now that the United States has become a
oeniserent, seek to obstruct every move which will tend
to make this country a full participant. The plan has
been advocated by the state department. and by a very
large number Of Americans who wish to have their
country placed on a basis Of full partnership with those
other nations which arc lighting in the same cause.
There are involved in the subject considerations military.
economic and political.
From the military standpoint the direct aid which
could be given to the common cause by any American
force which could be dispatched in the near future would
he negligible. 1t is assumed everywhere that the force
which would be sent over would be a single division of
about $4,000 men. More could not be spared until the
new army Is actually under arms and in training.
While every little helps. a foroe of $4,000 men. on a neld
where the combatants are numbered by millions, would
scarcely exercise a perceptible influence. The sending Of
this force would also withdraw from the United States a
number of officers whose services are needed in the train
ing Of the new army which is to be created.
On the other hand, the sending even of such a small
force would have an excellent effect even from the mill
tary standpoint The sight of the Stars and Stripes at
the head of even a handful Of American troops on the
French battle front would inspire the Allied troops al
ready there, and the visible evidence of the active par
ticipation of the great western :epublic would not be a
cheerful sight to the Germans.
The economic feature involves chiefly the question
of tonnage. Every available ship is now engaged in the
work Of carrying food and war material to the Allies.
The wastage of war, increased greatly by the ruthless
destructiveness Of the past few months. has diminished
the tonnage available for this purpose, and Great Britain
and France have found it necessary to restrict imports
of certain classes in order to obtain a sufficient supply Of
those things which are actually necessary. 1t matters
not in whose ships the American soldiers are carried.
The ships which carry them would otherwise be carry
ing half a million tons Of freight. The question of when
the tonnage for this purpose may best be spared is to
be left largely for the decision of the Allies who are al
ready in the field.
The political aspects of the case are closely related
to the military. American troops in the field will carry
such a message to the world as can be carried in no
other way. That message will be that without qualifca-
ton or reservation, the United States is enlisted for the
war, and that 1t is prepared to draw to the full limit up
on its resources in men and material to insure success
at the earliest possible moment. That visible evidence
will be encouraging to the people and the governments
trail powers Of the hopelessness Of the task which they
have set out to accomplish. 1t. would bring about a
cordially Of feeling among our associates which could
not exist II the United States were to be regarded merely
as a source Of supply and a financial hacker rather than
a member in full partnership, assuming her full share OF
responsibility and. risk, and performing to the full, her
obligations. And there can be no doubt that when nego-
tiations for peace are once under way. Americas little
handful Of men. even If no more should ever be sent,
will count for much in establishing the place Of the
United States in the council of nations, and will be an
important factor in helping to bring about a righteous
and lasting peace.