The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-05-23
Amy Foa 'fllNeE.
GEN. PERslIING DESIGNATED To
\ COMMAND FIRST OVER.
SEAS ARMY.
Regular Army Onlccr With Distln-
guisl,cd Record Chosen to FIJI Post
That Col. Roscvclt Zcalously
Sought.

washington. MAY fS.-President
Wilson tonight ordered that a division
2 Of regular troops. commanded by
Maj. Gen. John J. Pershing. be sent
! to France at the earliest practica bic
date.
This Ia the answer OF America to
Frances plea that the Stars and
stripes DO carried to the lighting
front without delay to hearten the
soldiers battling there with concrete
evidence that powerful ally has
come to their support against Ger
5 man aggression.
Announcement Of the order follow
Cd signing OF the seiective draft war
army bin by the president and the
issuance Of a statement that under
advice Of military experts on both
sides Of the water the president could
not employ volunteers or avail him
sslf Of the "hne vigor and enthusi-
asm" OF Former President Roosevelt
for the expedition.
Tho army law provides for an ul-
Innate force Of approximately 2,0OO,-
600 men to back up the first troops
to 50 to the front. When the bill
had been signed. the president affixed
his name to proclamation calling
upon all men in the country between
the ares OF "a and 80. inclusive. to
register themselves for military SER
vice on June next. The proclama-
tion sets In motion immediate ma
chinery that will enroll and sift
100000 men and pave the way for
the selection OF the first 5000
young. efficient soldiers without Grip
ping tho industries or commerce OF
the nation or bringing hardship on
those at home.
Even before the bin was signed.
the war department announced that
the full strength Of the National
Guard would be drafted into the
United States army beginning June
l5 and concluding August s. Orders
q, bring the regiments to full war
strength immediately accompanied
tho notification sent to all governors
A minimum OF 329. 900. fighting men
viii be brought to the colors under
those orders. supplementing the $685.
900 regulars who will be under arms
hy June Is,
II Ia from these forces that the first
armies to join Gen. Pershing at the
front win be drawn. to be followed
within q few months by recurring
waves from the selective draft armies,
the FIRST 5oo.OOo Of whom will be mob
iilxed September 1.
Following Is the text of the terse
announcement of the war department
as to Gen. Pershing's expedition.
''The president has directed an ex-
pedition of Approximately one d.
vision of troops under command of
Gen. John j. Pershing to proceed to
France at as early date as practical
BILE. Gen. Pershing and staff will pre-
cede the troops abroad.
1T Is requested that no details or
speculation with regard to mobiliza-
ton OF this command. dates of de-
parture or other items be carried by
the press other than Official bulletins
given out by the war department re-
lating thereto"
Gen. Pcrshins has been In Wash
ington some days. He was personally
summoned by Secretary Baker from
the Southern department which was
under his command until tonight's Or
der was issued.
The man who led the expedition
into Mexico with such judgment and
skill as to win for him the complete
confidence or the president and his
advisers. has worked hard on plans
for the expedition to France. He has
bzcn In daily conference with Secre-
tary Baker, Maj. Gen. Bliss. acting
chief OF staff. with department. officials
cooperating. In the preparation OF the
forces he will lead against tho Ger
mans and also with Lieut.. Gen.
bridgos. head OF the military section
OF the. British mission and veteran
Of tho battlefeids OF France.
Nothing that either French or Brit
Ism on'cers have been able to furnish
In tho way Of information has been
lacking and there Is every indication
that the regular forces which will
compose the expoditiopary division
are beins selected with greatest care
No inkiing of the plans for that