Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-05-19
President Answers Appeals of
viviani and Joffre for
American Flag on Fighting
Front.
COLONEL R00SEVELT'S
AMBITION DENIED
Chief Executive Says Experts
on Both Sides of Atlantic
Advise Against Sending
Volunteers.
tsy MORNING. yovssA, SPECIAL LEASED WIRE,


Washington, May 18.-President
Wilson tonight ordered that a division
of regular troops commanded by Maj.
Gen. John ]. Pershng be sent to
Francesat the earliest practicable date.
This Is the answer of America to
Frances plea that the Stars and
Strines be carried to the fighting
front without delay to hearten tho
soltiierg NJ at.ilig there with concrete
insraSsise stlel d.. pUwerIuf ally mas
come to their support against German
aggression.
Announcement of the order follow
ed signing of the selective draft war
army bill by the president, and the is
suing of a statement that under ad-
vice of military experts on both sides
of the water the president could not
employ volunteers nor avail himself of
the fine vigor and enthusiasm" Of
former President Roosevelt for the
expedition.
10000 Men Ultimately.
The army law provides for an ulti-
mate force of approximately 100000
men to back up the first troops to go
to the front. When the bill had been
signed the president affixed his name
to a proclamation calling on all men
in the country between the ages of 2l
and 80 inclusive to register them
selves for military service on June 5
next. The proclamation sets in mo-
ton Immediately machinery that will
enroll and sift 100000 men and
pave the way for the selection of the
first 100000 young. efficient soldiers
without gripping the industries or
op,11rnarpa of the nation nr brip OF N
hardship on those at home.
Text of Order.
Following is the text of the terse
announcement of the war department
as to General Pershing's expedition:
"The president has directed an ex-
peditionary force of approximately
one division of regular troops, under
command Of Gen. John ]. Pershing,
to proceed to France at as early
date as practicable. General Per-
shing and staff will precede the
troops abroad.
1T is requested that no details or
speculations with regard to the mo-
. bili2ation of this command, dates Of
departure, or other items, be carried
by the press, other than the official
bulletins given out by the war depart
ment relating thereto"
1pfSTlnG IN washington.
General Pershing 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
order was issued.
The man who led the expedition
into Mexico and handled his difficult
task with such judgment and skill as
to win for him the complete conf
dence' of the president and his ad-
visers has worked hard on plans for
the expedition to France. He has
been in daily conference with Secre.
tary Baker and with Lieutenant Gen.
eral Bridges, head of the military Sec
tion of the British mission and a vet
eran of the battlefields of France.
There is every indication that the
regular forces which will compose
the expeditionary division are being
selected with greatest care.
No inkling OF the plans for that di-
vision have been allowed to leak out.
Above $4,000 Men.
The number OF men in the expedi-
tionary force has not been disclosed.
A division at war strength totals more
than $4,000 men of all arms.
General Pershing. a republican in
politics, was brigadier general when
he led the forces into Mexico in pur-
suit Of the bandit villa. His work at
that time won FOR him selection by
his brother general officers as major
general and the choice was heartily
endorsed by the war department and
President Wilson.
In his explanation of his reasons for
rot availing himself of the so-called
Roosevelt amendment to the army
BILL, Mr.. Wilson has brought out
sharply the points made against that
amendment by army officers, regard
less of their personal political lean
ings or their regard for Mr.. Roosevelt,
Many officers have unhesitatingly. !.
condemned his proposal to raise al