Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1917-05-25
Fighting General May Take
Regulars to Help Hold All
of Belgium That
Is Free.
TO DRAFT ENTIRE GUARD
Legislation to Increase Army
and Navy Strength Will Be
Hurried Supplies for
Expedition Rushed.

a0HOO4V4OA 4S0SAOOs l
Washington. D. c., May 21-Amerf- |
can troops when they go to the Euro
pean battle front may take places to !
buttress the little Belgian line. so te-
naciously holding fast to a strip on
the extreme west-all of Belgium that
escaped the German invaders.
The war department today had no
announcement to d to it's terse bull
letin of last night. which merely said
Maj. Gen. Pershing would lead a di-
vision of regulars abroad lat as early
q date as is practicable"
But President Wilson'S statement ex-
planning his reasons for not accepting
at this time Colonel Roosevelt's offer
of a division contained a phrase which
has attracted much attention and sug-
troops may go to Belgium-to help
right the wrongs which turned the
world against Germany.
The president explained that the reg
ular army officers whom Colonel
Roosevelt wanted to take with his di-
vision were needed for the much moro
pressing and necessary duty of train
ing regular troops to be put in the
field in France n Belgium as fast
as they car be got ready"
Rush Supplies for Army.
So far as is known that was the first
official mention Of putting American
troops in Belgium and the sentimental
value of sending troops bearing the
American flag to the violated soil OF
the little ountry in whose behalf all
humanity has been aroused has been
recognized quickly.
With the army bill now out of the
way the navy bill will be put through
soon increasing it's strength from $1,000
10 $50, 900 and the marine corps from
I 1900 to 10000.
All military advisers have agreed that
additional training within sound Of the
forces taken to France before they
took their places in the line. The reg
ulars Of the expeditionary force are
certain to have that training. In plac-
ing new divisions in the line Of battle.
Great Britain has followed the practice
of accustoming the men gradually to
h work before them. The first 100, 900
of the kitchiner army was put in with
each battalion thanked by veteran
British or French troops until it found
itself.
Pershing to Select Site.
Presumably Genera Pershing will
select, in conference with French and
British officials when he reaches the
scene of action. the location for the
American training camps. The part OF
the line to which American troops will
later be assigned will also be deter
mined then. The first expedition prob
ably, also will pave the Wa.' Cor the
armies that are to follow it as soon as
they are ready.
A minimum of $4,000 fighting men
will be brought to the colors under
those orders, supplementing the 293 900
regulars who will be under arms by
June Is. 1t is from these forces that the
first armies to Join General Pershing
at the front will be drawn. to be fol-
lowed within a few months NV waves
from the selective draft armies. the first
500, 900 of whom will be modified Sep
TENDER 1.
General Pershing and his staff will
go to Europe ahead Of his troops at as
early a date as practicable. He was
automatically relieved of his command
of the southern department by the
presidents orders designating him to
command the troops to be sent, to
Europe.
1t is requested that no details or spec
ulations with reference to the mobiliza-
ton of his command, dates of de-
parture or other items be carried by
the press, other than the official bull.
letins given out by the war department
relating thereto.
Pershing holds the rank Of major gen.
cral. 1t is said on good authority, how.
ever. that he may be made Lieutenant
general. This would be possible under
existing Law. The need for 1t is found
in the fact that as major general abroad
Pershing would be outranked by man,
foreign officers. Furthermore, the FAC
that Pershing goes as head Of the frs
expedition means that he would doubt.
less command the entire force of tn
new American army, once 1t Is OF
French soil.
The possibility that the title Of gen
eral. which was held by Grant may b'
revived, is suggested.
Washington. May 21-A regiment @
marines commanded by Col. Charles A
Doyan and composed of veterans of ac
tive service in Haiti. Santo Doming'
and Cuba, will accompany the arm.
division to be n to France unde
Major General P%ershing.
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