The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1917-06-23
By EDWARD o. CLARK.

washington.--Frum the instant that
war was declared between the United
States and Germany, American officers
Of the younger and more active
ranks have urged the necessity Of
sending troops quickly to France. II
is believed that If the original plan Of
high army officers had been adhered
to, American troops except for some
few engineer detachments would not
have been sent to Europe for many
months.
The view Of the younger officers Of
the American service, Endorsed as II
was by General Joffre and unquestion.
ably also by the president, brought u
change In plan, although Of course II
Is not known definitely. nor will II be
published when 1t Is known, just how
quickly large forces Of American sol
diers will be sent to the fighting line.
Here is a copyrighted and author
lied cable in the New York Times
from Wythe Williams:
France always has kept the num-
her Of her losses to herself. She now
says quite openly that she needs men.
The Germans are still terribly strong,
and It Is therefore to America that she
is looking to help her strike harder
than ever at the Teutons battle line
and smash It,"
Relies on America.
This indirect appeal for men which
has just come from France seemingly
10 ind h, m
disclosure Of the French arrny's need
for men to drive home victory probably
would not be made unless II was
thought that the appeal would be an
swered by the American army authori-
ties. France never has allowed II to
be known prior to this time that her
armies stand in need of REINFORCE
ments TO enable the republic to carry
home the blows which 1t has been de.
l!verng for months.
The situation in France, 1t is held In
Washington, makes 1t imperative that
there be speeding up in the training OF
our oversee forces. 1t seems certain
that the early predictions made that
regulars and National Guardsmen
would be sent to the front much more
quickly than anyone had supposed will
be borne out, but the main proposition
concerns itself with the great national
army which early in September IN de-
tachments will go into the training
camps.
1t Is only necessary to go to Fort
Myer to learn that the speeding-up
process Is In operation. 1t Is not
known definitely here how things are
going on ut the other officers reserve
training camps, but at Fort Myer what
would be called in any college In the
country 1.-THE examining system" Is In
daily service. The young men across
the Potomac who are trying to learn
how to become officers Of the American
army will be given In three months In
structions and drill which ordinarily
would be spread over half year.
Young officers are in charge at Fort
Myer.
SO long ago as the time that your
correspondent was in France, when
the war was only about eight months
old, the possibilities that the French
republic would need re-enforcements
of men In order to carry the war to a
conclusion within the territory of the
Germans already was being dis
cussed. 1t was discussed in whispers,
1t is true, but 1t was known that the
man power of France had limit line
we'll within that Of the other countries
engaged. Even then the French were
looking to the United States.
Thought II Would BE Sooner.
Your correspondent was In Paris
when the Lusitania was sunk. French
men that day believed that the entry
of the western republic into the war
could be matter Of only few days.
They had believed at the first outbreak
OF hostilities that the United States
would come In from the sheer impulse
Of desire to save democracy. The
| French gave over this thought reluc-
family, but when American men, wom-
| en- and children were murdered on the
high seas the French thought that
entry Of this country into the conflict
| would be certain and quick.
From talks with Frenchmen It be-
came known that 1t was their belief
that If American troops should be sent
| TO the front the war would not last
year. That was just two years ago
| Now the French have allowed II to be
known definitely and by authority that
| troops are needed and needed quickly.
II seems that General Joffre was con-
| tent to speak about the sentiment OF
the matter and not TO disclose fully
the actual necessities of the case. Gen
eral Petain has gone farther than the
hero of the Marne and has virtually
sent out an appeal not for men to hold
the Germans, but for help to drive
them into their own territory, there to
clean them up and to end a righteous
war righteously.
1t seems entirely probable that the
| intensive training of the new national
army will be made quickly and that
! the speed now manifest in the war de-
| partment, along regular army, Nation
, al Guard and Officers Reserve CORPS