Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-30
Preparation ofGreatF Forces
to Support Those already
in Europe Mooing
Steadily Ahead.
tBy ,Associa,ed ,Press. ! /

! - si ltSS rAfsociated Press j. tigs " g.
WASHINGTON. June 2a-Reports
from Major General Pershins on the
landing OF American troops in France
still were lacking tonight. and the
personal accounts of newspaper corrc-
spondents of the scenes at the French
port we're held up. to wait on official
information. Army officials maintained
/ complete silence as to the expedition,
or as to plans for future movements
OF troops.
Marine corps officers were eager to
learn whether the regiment of sea
soldiers under Colonel Doyen was tirs1
TO land. The marines are proud of
and hope that it has been sustained
in the first dispatch of American forces
! TO fight in the Old World
1t appeared possible to-day that a
| full marine brigade eventually would
be sent to France TO work as unit of
General Pershinss army With the
corps raised TO 10000 men. enough for
brigade could be spared. and officers
and men want to get TO the fighting
front
preparation OF the great forces that
are to support those already dispa atche d
are moving steadily ahead, both in the
army and navy. Announcement to -day
that when the National Guard is drafted
into Federal service and mobilized it
VIII be sent at once to the divisional
training camp sites in the Southeastern,
Southern and Western Departments,
was, another step on the road 1t will
eliminate some delay in making the
state troops ready for the front.
NO ANNOUNCEMENT AS TO USE
OF THE NATIONAL GUARD
There has been much speculation and
no authoritative announcement what
National Guard. The existing UNITS
and those new ones that are ready for
Federal inspection and recognition,
comprise the skeleton of sixteen in
fantry divisions. Under present dis
tribution by States. there would not
be more than four or five divisions com
plete enough to deserve that name
1t seems likely that redistribution
and consolidation Of the force must be
undertaken soon after they pass into
the Federal service under the draft
clause Of the national defense act
Probably twelve or more complete in
fantry divisions could then be organ
iZed. Certainly that number could be
presented with the cavalry employed
dismounted, as now planned. and used
as provisional infantry regiments
AT full war strength the existing
regiments would represent total force
OF probably 100000 men. OF that num-
her at least one-third are fairly we'll
seasoned troops. who already have had
six or eight months of intensive in
struction and active. continuous service
on the border. The fact that the guard
camps are to be of canvas seems TO
indicate that IL Is not expected TO keen
them In training on this side OF the
water for very extended period
Additional training for numerous
guard artillery units soon will be in
progress. also, at the various officers
training camps. AT least battalion
of field artillery has been ordered to
each camp in order that the artinr
officer candidates for the national army
may have the means of learning the
things they must later teach to
new forces.
FINDING OF SUPPLIES
IS GREATEST PROBLEM
The greatest problem that faces tho
War Department is tofnd supplies for
the steadily increasing host of the ma
tional gpardsmen. which moves to its