Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-05-01
High Military Men Of the
Country Being Won Over
by the Argument Present
ed by French Commits
sioners.
NEW YORK's TROOPS
MAY BE FIRST TO 90
Final Action by Congress on
the Consumption Bill Is
Awaited Before Any Def
mite Announcement Is
Made as to Plans for the
Army.

Washington, May 1.-The French
commission argument urging that
troops, possibly militia, be sent within
six weeks to the European battle fields
is having it's effect at the White House
it was generally believed today.
Officials still are canny when the
subject is mentioned. Some are known
however. strongly to favor the plan,
while others are now only passively,
where once they We're actively. opposed
to it.
In congress the idea is spreading rap
idly, and if this growth continues as
rapidly during the next week as IL
has developed during the past few days,
congressional pressure may force the
plan into operation.
THE ONE BIG QUESTION.
The question of sending troops to
Europe quickly remains the biggest yet
to be settled.
That 1t will be settled within a day
or two and an announcement made as
soon as practicable, Is taken for grant
ed. One of the blocks that must first
be removed, however, Is final enact
ment into law of the selective conscrip-
ton measure. Once that is done, pro-
gress on the troops to- Europe matter
will be definitely settled.
Perhaps the strongest opposition to
the plan of sending troops Immediately
is found among some high military
men, who hold to their belief that
America should first complete her mil
itary organization before detaching
even small units for service abroad
These men are said to feel, however
that IL the French really want the
American flag and American soldiers
on their fighting front. for sentimental
and moral reasons, they might be
turned to that view. Others even are
said to be inclined more and more to
French arguments that Americans who
might be sent Immediately to instruc-
ton camps behind the lines and IN
sound of the guns, would be worth
more than Americans trained for six
months or more in this country and
then sent to the battle fields.
The French argument is that such
men would have to stand from five to
seven weeks. of battlefield training
even then.
There were surface indications today
that plans are already afoot to get cer-
tain militia regiments ready to start
for the front very soon.
NEW YORK MAY GO FIRST.
New York national guard units are
not considered an impossibility as the
first to go. Governor Whitman was
summoned to Washington for a con-
ference with the administration on un-
stated subjects today.
The question of troops. 1t is believed
and possibly the Irish question, were
discussed by British Foreign Secretary
Balfour and President Wilson at two
lengthy conferences.
Plans were completed today for the
French commission to leave Thursday
FOR tour Of American cities, including
Chicago. Kansas City, st. Louis,
Springfield. ILL.,, Philadelphia. New
York. Boston. to be visited In the or
Ter named. The mission will return to
and continue its Iabors.
The Cuban war commission will be
received today by Secretary Lansing
Ind probably by President Wilson
Minister Cespedes will present them.
with Secretaries Baker
Ind Daniels will follow