Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-01
WAR ENJOYS URGE
. SENDING Of ARMY
WITHOUT DELAY
Arguments Presented Di-
rcctly to American
Officers.
DECISION IN MATTER
RESTS WITH PRESIDENT
Views Believed to Have Been
Presented to Executive at Con- L
ference With Viviani.
BAKER DECLINES TO COMMENT
Border-Hardened National Guard
Units Would Serve Purpose,
Visitors Declare.
DECISION IN MATTER
RESTS WITH PRESIDENT
DECLINES TO COMMENT
Border-Hardened National Guard
Units Would Serve Purpose,
Visitors Declare.
GBy Associated Press. ]

[By Associated Prcss.l
WASHINGTON, April 3O.--Wi.h the
Judgment of the French war mission
and the American army general staff
seemingly in conflict as to when AMER
lean troops should be sent TO France,
particular interest attached to con
ference at the White House to-day be-
tween President Wilson and Rene
Niviani. head OF the French mission.
Decision rests with the President,
through his constitutional function as
commanderin-ch in chief OF the United
States Army. 1t was generally as
sumed that the views OF the French
officials disclosed in Marshal JonrSs
statement yesterday advising that
American forces he sent TO the battle
front soon. were formally presented to
Mr.. Wilson during tho conference
No Information as TO that discussion
was given out, however. and no admin
istiation officials would comment upon
the statements of the great Frenchs
soldier. Wg$4
Upon that subject have no con, 81
ment to make" was the reply .witkf
which Secretary Baker met all aues-si
tions.
GENERAL STAFF WANTS
MEN FULLY TRAINED
There is no question. however. that
the general staff disapproves any sug.
Eestion that American forces be sent
abroad until they are fully trained
and equipped for the task before them,
with the exception of final touches to
be given behind the battle lines This
has been made evident by the testi-
mony given. by many staff officers be-
fore congressional committees within
the last two years, and by the admin
istration selectivc draft bill, under
whose provisions no element of tho
army. regular. National Guard or con
script. would be ready for service for
many months
So far as volunteers are. concerned
there has been no indication that tho
administration would favor the pro-
posal that a separate provisional arms
be raised for early service in France.
Stripped OF all military pros and
cons. the proposal made by Marshal
Joffre and apparently supported by all
members OF thu French mission Ia un-
derstood here as providing that n small
force OF American troops. possibly a
division numbering from, 1900 10 c5.-
600 men. be sent at the earliest possible
moment TO France for tho sentimental
erect It's presence would have both
upon the French and the Germans.
EVERY MAN NEEDS YEAR
OF INTENSIVE TRAINING
On the other hand. stands. the often
repeated military precept Of the gen.
eral STAFF that no man can be consId
cred for even defensive warfare until
he mas had more than a year of in
tensive training
Cn one point there Is complete agree
ment between Marshal JoHre and the
Ar.erican officers. Both believe that
any force sent to France must be given
additional training on French soil he.
hihd ;he French battle lines before II
can take its place in the trenches.
There is reason to believe that tho
arguments OF the French commits
s'oners have heen presented directly In
American officers during the confer
enccs here. c
Since it is the psychological eject
that is sought. troops with no NOR.
training than the border hardened Ma
tional Guard units would serve 3ths
purpose. in view of the French of,cer.
they believe that, with brief addittonal
training within sound OF the cuna -
the front. such men could be mada
ready 10 take their places by the side.
OF the veteran French and British re..
imcnts.
PRESIDENT WILL TURN
TO HIS GENERAL STAFF
IN reaching decision President wiz x
sou probably would turn 1rstt TO nj.
own military advisers, the general.stafr.
INC factor in tho decision is found to
be the question OF. the effect on M
army building plans There ares po.-
sihiy 10000 fully trained regu,ar poi.
diers OF the regular army. ,.the ~
mainder being men who have enit.tsA q
within the last few months.
FRENCH MISSION NEMHERs sfssss
busy IN CONFE3REH.s@ M
fRy Associated Pres,I
WASHINGTON. April 3or--.Arr.tSs
nary exchanges of views having Ssl
completed. members Of Franesis n d sjiysS1
mission aud representa- tiyes; OF + n yS 81
United States to-day began confarN sS2 sssl