New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-15
ISpccial CorrespondenceI

LONDON, Nov. 3O-IIcrc is the Wow
the German government is spreading
of Americas participation in the war
II was sent out from Berlin on OCTOBER
30 as an official telegram, and appeared
In several leading German newspapers
under the headline of participation by
tho United States in the War Inc
telegram read:
cit is nowhere so clearly UNDERSTOOD
as in England and the United States
that the war must be carried on with
all available economic power. what
had been left Of international law was
violated TO prosecute the armed con-
Aict with as much energy as possible.
"At the time of the declaration oil
war America had regular army oil
1O5 900 men; only 80 900 were stationed
in the United States proper, the others
in the Philippines, etc. The military
training is not good, as was proved
during the Mexican campaign. Besides
tho regular army, there was the Ma
tional Guard of 10000 men, paper
strength.
"To create an army it was plan%d
to increase the regular army from lOO,-
600 to 100000 men and the National
Guard to 900 men. Furthermore a
new army, the so-called National Army
was TO be created.
Not Yet in the Fighting
although nine months have passed
since, no part of the American forces
has participated in the war operations
It was intended to increase the army
by enlisting volunteers. The success
was insignificant. Therefore, con-
scription law was passed in May last
There are 100000 men Of military
age. according to the census which was
taken: but that does not amount to
an army. The establishment OF an
army was difficult. Conscripton IN
1917 was limited TO 100000 men, 5Oo,-
600 more were designated for conscrip-
tion in 1918.
AT the present time, at the latter
part Of October, they have regular
army Of 300, 900 men, a National Guard
of 100000 and National Army OF
$4,000. But not more than about
100000 men. namely, the previous reg
ular army. are trained. The others are
recruits who were called to the colors
in September and October. while part
were called in August, and the others
are still civilians.
"They are being theoretically drilled.
There are training camps, special ofi
GERS courses, etc; armament ana
eouipment are good. The fiers are
much talked of. Their training is
easier and sooner completed than the
creation of an army. But up to now
no units of American fiiers have been
sent to Europe. They had, at the be-
ginning of the war, about two hundred
army aviators; the material is nearly
always unfit, and the trial period seems
not vet TO be over. No great number
of aviators will be available before next
spring.
Asserts Germany Is Prepared
eve have taken sufficient measures,
as far as material and men are con-
cerned. and will be equal to the new
task, which, we know, will not be an
easy one.
"The less the Americans have
achieved the more noise has been made.
First, the staff came to Europe in sum-
mer and was followed by transports.
Altogether, they amount 70 from 10000
10 40 900 men, a great part of,whOm are
railroad and other technical units.
There is. perhaps, one division Of
fighters. This division has to be drilled
behind the front, and only part of it
has been placed at a quiet. sector OF
the firing line. Even that is part oil
the training. The exposure OF her