Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-05-06

Gen Johre In eloquent fashion has
urged the sending of an American army
to Franco that
Gen. Joffre Wants the Stars and
IN American Army. Town befor. tho
German trenches at the earliest posi-
BILE moment. France expects such
movement to work disastrously to
German morale, while 1t is admitted
that no other movement could be TAX
en- by this country at this juncture that
would SO strengthen the morale and
general enthusiasm and determination
OF the men in the French and British
armies.
Some officials are advocating the
sending Of 10000 men of the regular
army at once. Some would delay the
sending of troops until 100000 can oe
placed on the battle fronts of Europe.
1t is known that the War Department
would train and equip an army OF three
to FIVE hundred thousand before send
ing any abroad. wishing to make sure
of the effectiveness of the American
mailed fist.
The sentiment that this country
should not wait until later date. but
should send a small expeditionary force
in the immediate future. is growing. ac-
cording to the opinion Of the American
press. and particularly is this true since
the French argument that these Ameri-
can forces can be better trained and
training under actual war conditions is
becoming more generally known.
For the navy 1t is argued that no bet
ter service could be performed than the
transportation of American merchant
ships over the Atlantic. On the other
hand, there are signs in London that the
British government expects American
warshfps to come to the assistance of
the British grand fleet in effectually
checking German naval activities. the
chiefest of these being the widespread
use of submarines.
The United States goes about the
business Of preparing for more active
role in the struggle at later date. in
try is to draft her new army by the
decree of Congress. only minor details
awaiting action of congressional con-
ferees. The nations economic, industrial
and civil resources are being thorough
ly co-ordinated and the speed with
which the country goes about its task is
mainly due. according to official
sources, to the fact that the lessons
learned by the entente nations during
the FIRST two years Of the war have
been transmitted to this country. and
the problems overcome by them. there
fore are in reality no longer problems
for the United States.
I Members of both the French and
II
ference with President Wilson and
other high governmental officials d.
rectly fntrusted with directing the
more important features connected
with this country's cooperation in the
The French commission has left
Washington for a tour to different
larger cities of the country. where the
greatest possible enthusiasm for the
common cause is expected to be
aroused.
Two weeks ahead of their carefully
prepared schedule and still smashing
onward
Entente Armies Thus has
Ahead of Schedule. nouncsd - th.
world the wonderful achievements of her
armies who are at death grips with the
forces of Field Marshal Won Hindenburg
on the western battle front.
The past week has seen some of the
the intensity of the struggle which is
raging for the redemption of French soil
from the hands of Teutonic invaders
cannot be rivaled in the history of the
world. The British and French are
showing a logged courage almost unbe-
lievable. Their power of offensive is
entirely unexpected, though it was be-
lieved that when the drives of the pres
ent year got under way there would be
developments on a stupendous scale.
Actual accomplishments have exceeded
the dreams of the most optimistic.
Today Gen. Haig has succeeded in
turning the much-vaunted Hindenburg
line at one point and penetrated it at
another. What must be the effect on
the minds of German soldiers who were
led to believe that after the recent great
retreat all would be we'll?
Gen. Haig has smashed a hole in the
Oppy line. one Of the defensive elements
OF the so-called. Wotan line. still farther
to the east. What must the effect be on
the mind of the German soldier who ex-
pected this strategtcal position. prepared
with the greatest pains. to hold until
such time as Teutonic commanders were
ready to give 1t up?
Gen. Haig has smashed to the lower
end Of the Wotan line itself. and still his
valorous troops are pressing ahead, win
ming wonderful results in the face of
greatest opposition.
The fighting Of the past week has not
been chiefly significant because of actual
territory wrested from the Germans as
1t has been because Of German failures
materially to weaken the British hold on
any of the detectives of the present
drive.
In addition to the half million men