Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1917-05-25
AMERICAN SOLDIERS
ORDERED TO FRANCE
GENERAL PGRSHIrG TO LEAD
DIVISION OF REGULAR TROOPS
AGAINST THE GERMANS.
Stars and Stripes TO be Carried to the
Fighting Front Without Delay to
Hearten the Soldiers Of the
Allies Battling There.


Washington. President Wilson on
May IS ordered that division Of regu-
lar troops. commanded by Maj. Gen.
John J. Pershing, be sent TO France
at the earliest practicable date.
This Is the answer of America to
Frances plea that the Stars and
Stripes be carried to the fighting front
without delay to hearten the soldiers
battling there with concrete evidence
that powerful ally has come to their
support against German aggression.
Announcement Of the order followed
signing Of the selectiye draft war army
bill by the president and the issuing
OF statement that under advice Of
military experts on both sides of the
water the president could not employ
volunteers nor avail himself of the
fine yigor and enthusiasm" Of former
President Roosevelt for the expedition.
The army law provides for an ulti-
mate force of approximately 2,OOOOOO
men TO back up the first troops TO go
to the front When the bill had been
suggested the president affixed his
name 20 proclamation calling upon
all men in the country between the
ages of 81 and 30, inclusive, to register
themselves for military service on
June 8 next The proclamation sets
in motion Immediately machinery that
viii enroll and sift 100000 men and
pave the way for the selection Of the
first 100000 young, efficient soldiers
without Gripping the industries or
commerce of the nation or bringing
hardship on those at home.
Even before the bill was signed the
war department announced that the
full strength of the national guard
would be drafted into the United States
army beginning July IS, and conclud-
ing August .. Orders to bring the reg
iments to full war strength immediate
ly accompanied the notification sent |
TO all governors. A MINIMUM of 3d. |
900 fighting men will be brought to |
the colors under these orders, supple |
menting the $4,000 regulars who will |
be under arms by June 10.
IL is from these forces that the first |
armies to join General Pershing at |
the front will be drawn, TO be followed /
within few months by recurring |
waves from the selective draft armies, !
the first 100000 of whom will be mobil-
lied September 1.
Following is the text of the terse
of the war department
as TO General Pershing's expedition:
THE president has directed an ex-
force of approximately
one division Of regular troops, under
of Gen. John ]. Pershing, TO
proceed TO France at as early date
rs practicable. General Pershing and
staff will precede the troops abroad.
ut is requested that no details or
with regard to the mobili-
cation of this command, dates of de-
Darture or other Items be carried by
he press, other than the official bulle-
i'm given out by the war department
relating thereto"
The war in Europe has developed
many new phases of battle. Artillery
aas decided many battles and every
lriny has doubled and trebled its guns.
10Th in size and number. For this
.eason IL was thought likely that the
Evolutionary forces would include u
number of artillery
roops and be backed by solid wall
II guns when it comes to grips with
he enemy.