Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-05-19
GEN. PERSHING TO HEAD
FORCE OF U.S.. REGULARS
AGAINST THE GERMANS
Contingent of $4,000 Men Going to France
at Early Date---President Signs Army
Bill, But Declines Col. Roosevelfs
Offer of Volunteers.

ed by Maj. Gen. John ]. Pershing,
the European battle front.
division of Approximately
IS soon as possible, to cooperate
go to the European battle front,
-e Belgian line, SO tenaciously hold
west-all of Belgium that escaped
pushing vigorously it's preparations to
with the regulars. forms the frst-line
army. It was announced today that
al existing regiments of the guard
VIII pc called into service by August
o. % ana 4fficials estimate that with from
a month to six weeks intensive train
ing: these troops will be ready to go
forward for final preparation behind
the lighting lines in Europe.
Regular army regiments already are
IN motion northward from the border.
preparatory to the expansion of the
regular service to full war strength.
VI the 1S3.S9S men necessary to bring
tne regulars up to the 293. 1000 mark,
I4,ss3 already have been recruited and
before June Is.
The National Guardsmen will be
drafted into the federal service in three
increments July Is. July 25 and August
President drafting specific regiments,
the force will cease to be militia and
become part of the armies of the Unit
ed States. They will be relieved Of the
limitations upon use Of the militia and
be available for service in any part Of
the world.
States Authorized to Recruit.
State authorities were authorized to-
day to fill present regiments or other
units up to full war strength, making
a force Of approximately s2s.s54 men
and 9.s47 officers. No new National
Guard organizations will be accept
ed by the federal government until
for each regiment organized. The re-
suit will be virtually to triple the pres
ent strength of the guard. Reports to
the department show heavy recruiting
in all states.
The department announced also the
distribution by military departments of
the sixteen divisions OF the new selec-
tive draft army and the sixteen Ma
tional Guard divisioqs for training pur-
tonments and most Of the selective
army camps will be in the southern
part of the country.
Seven Divisions Of Regulars.
In all the forces first to be formed
will comprise seven divisions of regu-
lars. four Of which will be available
for mobile duty in continental United
States. supplemented by sixteen Ma
tional Guard divisions and later by
sixteen selective, army divisions. Be-
hind this force n second call on the
selective forces provided for in the
bill would add sixteen additional diyi-
sions.
State and municipal officials ALREADY
have been given preliminary out
line Of the work that will fall to them
IN carrying out registration of the
new armies. Gen. Crowder, who will
supervise the work, believes full CO.
operation and quick action can be re-
lied upon
Allowances must be made, when the
military census OF men between the
specified ages has been completed. for
prooaDie variation from census bureau
estimates as to the total number of
persons In this classification. 1t is re-
garded as unlikely that the reRistra-
tion Will show the exact 100000 per-
sons liable. as fixed by the census esti-
mate.
Registry by Mail Allowed.
There will be some delay, also, in
hearing from men absent from their
homes who will register by mail The
officials of every state and town, how
ever. have been authorized to issue
cards to such men in their communi-
ties in order to avoid the delay Of ar-
plication to home precincts the for
warding Of registration blanks and
their return. 1t is expected hotels and
other public places in big cities will
be made distribution points for cards
OF this character.
Analysis of the War Departments
statement regarding mobilization of
the National Guard shows that equip
ment for all the force is not expected
to be ready until August. BY that time,
however, the redoubled output of
American factories will be able to fur
nish clothing. small arms and other
assembled month later, as weIl as
for the full strength of the regulars
and the guard.
Trainers to Be Chosen.
During. the interval between the
mobilization of the guard and regulars
and the calling to the colors of the
first 100000 Of the selective army. a
force of 100000 officers and non-com-
missioned men must be selected to
train the new army. They will be
taken from the officers training camps
now in progress and from all ranks
! and grades of the regulars and guards
men. The reserve battalions will be
called upon to fill up the first line
forces after the training draft has been
withdrawn, and efforts will be made
to have the reserves under training
simultaneously with the active bat
talions for that reason.
All cavalry units of the National
Guard will be drafted dismounted. 1t
a., Is regarded as probable that number
of these organizations will be offered
an opportunity to be converted into
held artillery forces. as the gun di-
visions must be supplemented without
delay The National Guard Is far be-
low its proper quota of artillery, and
even the regular proportion of guns
per regiment must be Increased be-
cause OF the nature of the fighting in
| Europe.
SOCIALISTS TO BEGIN
naAlrrnrnar as~.-