The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-11-22
Pershing to Have Great
Army by Next July That
Allies Ask.
100000 4 MONTH RATE
Vessel Construction Expected
to Exceed Estimate Made
for 1918.
Ss>piai Despatch TO TIE SuA.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 21.--American
troops are proceeding 10 Europe in a
steady stream. according to an authori-
ta;iye announcement to-day. Gen. Per-
shing will have a million men at his
command by next summer unless pres
en-, plans miscarry.
Tho appeal Of Lloyd George that the
United States place this number of
;rcops on the fighting front as early as
possible has brought the reply from mill
tary and naval experts that the fulfill
ment Of The American plan depends not
only on transportation facilities but on
tie British navy's ability to keep the
ga lanes reasonably clear Of submarines
or German raiders.
Indications are that the U-boat men-
ace has dwindled and the British Ad-
nralty has no particular dread Of spo-
radio raiders. 1t is assumed here that
LLOYD George is confident that Amer
rss army OF a million men will be a
lelllty by next summer.
Daniels Drops . Hint.
Secretary Daniels indicated to-day
nat the accelerating rate by which
oops would be sent to the front would
.hdNt lUtcTestIlk TcdulHS III TIC lelt ~
liberty to give details of progress But
this is subject which tho Navy Depart
men, feels cannot be discussed except
IN The most general terms without Civ
z valuable Information to the enemy.
Under normal conditions the despatch
Of 100000 troops a month across the
Atlantic would represent efficient ac-
tion, Marshal Joffre, when he was here,
estimated that this would be about the
maximum rate. But this was before the
S.gsn,ic shipbuilding programme was
launched and before speeding up on the
present stupendous scale began.
Dlscounting shipping shortage and
other difficulties which retarded prog
ress It may be assumed that the aver
age rate Of transportation Of American
troops abroad will proceed approxi-
mately as Marshal JofRre predicted.
Taking 100000 American troops As an
arbitrary basis Of Gen. Pershings
present strength ana increasing it at
the predicted rate there would be L.
100000 Americans in Europe by early
in July.
Much depends on the number OF
ships and the amount Of tonnage which
the United States can turn ou: during
the next elk or eight months. but
equally az much II was said to-day de-
pends on tonnage which Great Britain
can make available for the transport of
American troops.
VIII Keep ship Promise.
>nerica has promised 5000, 900 tons
OF shipping TO the allied cause by the
cd of 1918. America will fulfil her
urumisc with several hundred tons 10
spare
This is the statement made here to-
osy In response to the inquiry OF Lloyd
George at the allied council as 10 the
d''r the United States would be ready
r'i IT. vast new merchant marine.
~ the first Of March production will
hove taken on a tremendous impetus
"flr.al- Of the Shipping Board said
E., Saturday marks the beginning OF
' launohings of ships actually con-
I'd for by the Emergency Flee; Cor
J. iOu. After that they will come
steadily increasing frequency and
ny March. il was said. 100000 tons o.
thl: contracted for by the Government
""l,d l.. IN the water
: ps commandeered on the stocks are
h' 'pcludcd In the estimate. They would
been built anyway and ultimately
.d have hccn In the service OF thu
WI Under the supervision OF th'
Shopping Board their construction is be
- hastoued for the double purpose o
r"''ig the tonnage at work and Of clear
80 M" ways for new construction