Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-06
FIRST GUARD UNITS
ARE NOW IN FRANCE
Militia from Every State in the
Union Now near Western
Fighting Front.
BIG TROOP MOVEMENT.
Trip across the Atlantic Accomplished
without Mishap-Frcnch Extend
Generous Welcome.
BIG TROOP MOVEMENT.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMIES IN

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMIES IN
FRANCE. THURSDAw. NOV. 80. (by
The Associated Press. )-National
Guardsmen from every state in the
Union have arrived in France. it is to-
day permitted to be announced. They
are among the troops now training or
lately arrived
While it is not permitted to disclose
the identity of units, it may be said
that all which have sailed from the
United States have arrived safely ana
that some already are in training with
in sound of the guns on the battlefront.
They are showing a spirit in keep
ing with the purpose Of all concerned
to make the American expedttionary
force homogeneous American army
in which each division. whether regu-
lar, National Guard. or National army,
cannot be distinguished in efficiency
from the others. The former state
troops are billeted over a wide area
and are pronounced excellent soldiers
ARRIVING FOR WEEKS.
The guardsmen have been arriving in
the American zone for many weeks. They
are scattered somewhat. but as far as
possible the units from the same State
have been kept close together, except
in one case. They found the regular
them. and while many are billeted In
houses in French towns, others have been
quartered in low wooden barracks espe-
cially erected.
The troops from the various States have
been recognized by the French population
and have been welcomed enthusiastically.
Many of the units on arriving In billet
towns wore the French red, white and
blue cockade pinned in their campaign
hats. These were given to the soldiers
when they landed at base ports.
| After a sufficient time to rest from the
| journey, which in some cases has been
extremely tiresome, the troops have been
! set to work training for actual service
! at the front. In all quarters they are
| declared to be most enthusiastic and
! their soldierly qualities have drawn high
praise from the French instructors. Dur
ing the last few days one unit has been
working with hand grenades and auto
matte rifles while another has been work.
/ ing out military problems in manoeuvres
! Another unit has been in the instruction
trenches which bring them as near as
possible to actual fighting conditions.
Many Of the former guardsmen in train
ing have heard guns roaring In the dis
lance. They are an being given the same
course of instruction that the first con
tingent of regulars have undergone.
The guardsmen are all in good health.
The entire country, however. shares il
\ the honor of having it's Representative
units now at the front in the world war.
Secretary Baker has announced that a
fast as men and ships are ready add
tional forces will be sent to Join Genera
Pershing. The regrouping of nationa
army divisions made necessary by the US
| 20 IAto No nm
Guard divisions, may determine the orde
of the first national army units to be sen
over. In that regrouping two nations
army divisions were formed, one repre-
senting the whole eastern section of tn
, country and one all middle States. All G
!, the Far West is already IN the nations
army division at Camp Lewis, America
Lake, Wash.
II the same policy Is followed with rela
ton to the national army that has bee
followed in connection with the Nations
Guard, It seems likely that these thye
divisions would be the first Of the ms
}. tional army to 60 over. as every state
: the Union would then have national arm
A men at the front as it now has Nation,
;. Guardsmen.
:, The reason why It Is not permitted I
!. | mention units by name is that II one
j. mentioned the way is opened to mentio
n all others. which means the revealtu
n of identification numbers and other info
. nation which is of importance to tt
q enemy.
Il But for the information of the reli
: tives and families of the men. ever
Il one who sailed from the United Stat,
a has arrived safely In France
q Washington, Nov. 30.-AnnOunCcment
)" the arrival IN France OF the first Nation
Guard units gives the first official MOTIF
: that an extensive troop movement HI
been accomplished despite hostile sui
III. marines, shortage OF troop and supp
;. ships and other obstacles, but witho
- the loss of man and without any &c
70 eral knowledge Of the fact having be,
disclosed to the country at large.
War department officials were gratih
"a at General Pershing's decision to al
- nounce the arrival of the National Qua
70 forces, but permission to publish Il
10 designations of the guard units now at Il
training centers in France still is wit
held. Unless General Pershing sees
to release the information, there is
prospect of its publication.
p, 1t can be stated, however, that the bri
f. dispatch of to-day covers a large NOV
II ment that has been In progress for re
e. eral weeks. The next stage will be actu
" occupation OF front line trenches.
Dr. Guard units TO he sent later will
" more sectional In character. the groupil
v | of tho old Iiyisionai rrgo nj o., tlcv, Ia