The Washington herald., 1917-05-02
STAFF OPPOSES
SENDING ABROAD
UNFRAMED men
Cabinet Unanimously in Fa-
vor, However, of Immedi-
ate Foreign Service.
, DECISIONDUE TOMORROW
President Holds Long Conference witt
Secretary Baker-Wilson Soon
VIII Announce Plans.

The movement to have an American
army sent to fight In France at tn,
earliest possible moment took one more
step toward accomplishment OF itg
purpose yesterday. 1t also developed
that the civilian officials OF the gov
eminent are almost in a body in favor
OF the plan. while military advisers Of
the War Department stand solidly
against sending any soldiers to France
trained
Following the regular Cabinet meet
ing yesterday. it was learned that the
entire Cabinet was in favor OF sending
men TO France at once. The proposal
of the French commissioners here that
fncrements Of American troops be sent
10 the west front quickly was discussed
IN q general way at the Cabinet meet
ing and later was gone thoroughly into
by President Wilson and Secretary OF
War Baker.
Following the Cabinet meeting. which
lasted twenty minutes. Secretary Baker
remained closeted alone with the Presi-
dent in the Cabinet Room.
Declines to Answer Questions.
At the conclusion Of the conference,
Secretary Baker refused to answer any
questions except to deny that the Army
General Stan had been ordered to ar
range to move the first body OF men for
France at an early date.
White House oficials last night declined
70 comment In any way upon the aues-
tion OF whether troops will be sent at
once. The Presidents opinion upon the
matter was known to no one except him
self and Secretary Baker. It was stated.
The first serious opI osition to the plan
developed among members OF the Army
General STAN yesterday. 1t was learned
yesterday afternoon practically the en-
tire star are opposed to sending raw
men to foreign battlehelds. Stan officers
declined to say whether they would make
adverse report upon the suggestion to
Secretary Baker.
The objections Of the General Stan. IL
was stated are based principally upon
The fact shat the entente allies have at
present more than 5.OO0.ocS thoroughly
trained soldiers who have never been
called 10 the front 1t is estimated that
there are 100000 eNpeTtly trained men
IN England and 2.25e.0OO in Japan who
could be Transported to the fighting front
in France
No Military Advantage.
There would be no military advantage
in sending imperfectly trained American
soldiers TO the fighting front" one stan
officers said yesterday afternoon.
Indeed, IL would be a military mistake
for this to be done. Such men would
necessarily have to be oficered. and this
would mean that many officers would
have to leave the country. thus being OF
no assistance in training the vast army
we are going TO raise on such short
notice. The fewer officers we have the
longer il will take TO put an efficient
army into the field"
That the sentimental and moral effect
Of sending Americans to fight at once
would greatly overbelance any military
disadvantages was contended yesterday
BY civilian officials.
Information purporting to show this has
been placed before President Wilson by
members Of the French Commission. The
British Commissioners have also taken
this attitude.