The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-05-01
French Ask That Thousand
Physicians Be at Once Sent
to Their Assistance
SHORTAGE OF MEN Is
PAINFULLY APPARENT
Boys Of Fourteen In France
Are Now Being Trained to
Take Place in Trenches.
Aviators Are Scarce

Washington, April 80. = The
appeal of military members OF
the French mission in the
United States resulted late to-
day in. the army General staff
receiving orders to work out
plans for the immediate send
ing of an American army to
the west front. The plans
which are only tentative must
be passed upon by President
Wilson before they are put into
operation.
This, was learned from high
officials Of the war department.
That an American force whose
size is as yet undetermined will
be on the fighting line within
thirty days seemed probable
tonight. In all probability the
men sent first will be part of
the national guard of the states
whose organizations have had
the least actual field expert
ence.
Physicians Needed.
Officials of the war depart
ment admitted today that the
appeal for troops to be sent to
France quickly made by men,
bers Of the French mission is
bearing fruit. A steady stream
of soldiers. each unit contain.
ing a relatively small number
of men, will shortly be sent
Europeward. The first steps
toward this have already been
taken. 1t was learned today
that the plans for sending 1000
physicians and surgeons and
several hundred partially
trained aviators for service in
France Immediately as an.
nounced yesterday by the coun-
ell Of national defense was a d.
rect result of an appeal for as
sistance by the French military
commissioners.
Statistics have been submitted to
the council showing a marked short
age of aviators and physicians in the
French army.
Statements showing the necessity of
sending large numbers of troops to
France at once include the admission
that French boys OF fourteen years
OF age are now being put into train
ing for service on the battle front, II
was learned tonight. The boys are
being gradually placed in active duty
behind the firing lines, so they NAV
he able to go into the trenches should
IT be necessary
\ Precautionary Measure
While the step is only a precau-
tlonary one TO guard against the army
finding itself without reserve force.
the uncertainty of military develop
ments has caused French military
leaders to fear they may be forced
to employ the children in active
fighting within a few months unless
America sends men to the fighting
line
The plans for sending an American
army TO France as submitted to thu
army general staff are said to specify
that arrangem be worked out by
which the MEN can be taken over
on American naval vessels. Due to
the shortage of commercial ships that
already exists. it is desired to use ~
few of them as possible for the trans
portation of men. The highest MEM
bers OF the British commission today
joined with the French military ex-
perts in urging that American forces
be sent TO the front without delay.
The military advantages to b.
gained by sending Americans to
France is the least we can hope for"
one high British official said. The
non-military side of the question II
of more Importance than the strictly
military for the United States. The
sentiment that would DO aroused BY
American forces appearances In Francs
and the knowledge that America stoo1
with uA ma matter how many mAn Il
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