Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-05-08
ENGLAND ALSO ASKS
THAT j. s. FORCE Be
DISPATCHED TO FRONT
Joins France in Hope That
American Troops May Be
Sent to France - BaIfOur
Speaks of Moral Effect

WASHINGTON, May 5.--Great Brit
ain formally joined France today in
expressing the hope that an American
eXpeditionary force soon would take it's
place on the western front in Europe.
Foreign Secretary Balfour told the
Council of National Defense that the
British would be foverjoyed to welcome
an American force in France, and that
it's early dispatch could not but have an
enormous psychological effect both on
the allies and on their enemies.
Today's meeting brought together for
th first time for formal conferences
the British and American military Of
ficials, and there was a preliminary
study of the whole general situation
under the five heads of intelligence
work, munitions, material, hospitals and
the eXpeditionary force question. Five
joint committees were appointed to
work out series of recommendations
on these subjects.
At the meeting the officials sum-
married the results of the individual
conferences held daily since the British
mission arrived and laid the ground
work for general discussions of all
phases of military cooperation While
no formal announcement was made, the
impression grew after the meeting that
an American army will go to the west
ern front as soon as possible.
The British officials present besides
Mr. Balfour were Lieutenant General
Bridges Major G. f. Dansey and other
military members attached to the mis-
sion. The United States was repre-
scented by Secretaries Baker, Lane and
Redfield and other members of the Coun-
ell of National Defense. together with
Major Generals Scott and Bliss. chief
and assistant chief of staff, respective
~, Brigadier General Crozier, chief of
ordinance: Quartermaster General
Sharpe and Surgeon General Gorgas.
The question of sending an expedi
tionary force is understood to depend
now almost entirely on whether the
allies would prefer to divert from the
transport Of food the amount of ton
mage necessary to carry the soldiers
across the Atlantic
The names of the officials on the sew
eral committees were not announced.
It is understood all of them will be-
gin sessions Immediately and definite
agreements are expected within few
days.
Already trade committees of American
officials and members of the British
and French missions are at work on
general export program to be submitted
to the American and allied govern
ments The American members are
bureau chiefs of the state, treasury,
agriculture and commerce departments
and of the shipping board. The foreign
re representatives. will speak for all the
allied trade and shipping interests.
A plan of aPportioning American sup
plies among the allies and the main
tenance of a proper balance between
munitions. food and other shipments is
the first thing 10 be worked out by the
trade committees. The allies will pre-
sent an outline of their needs and the
Americans will submit list giving
the amounts this country can furnish.
If permanent allied commission is
established here the American MEM
bers of the committee will deal directly
with it, For the present the commit
tees 1t is understood will not touch
on actual purchasing problems leaving
them to the permanent commission.
Neither will. trading with the enemy
laws be discussed now but later adj
lmstments will have to he made among
the several governments A trading
with the enemy bill approved by the
administration will go TO congress with
in few days