New-York tribune., 1918-07-24
Baker Plans
For 100000
To Aid Allies
2,O0O,O 900 Americans To Be
in France Before Big
Drive Ends
(By The Associated Press)


WASHINGTON, July 23.-With prob
ably not much more than q quarter of
million American troops engaged in
the present battle, but with virtually
million others either in France or
fastening across the ocean to join in
the fight, General Foch has been able
to turn the tables on the enemy and
strike blow that has changed the
whole trend of the war, in the view Of
official Washington.
Officials here, while fully recognizing
the fact the Americans are to-day only
comparatively small part of the vast
forces the supreme commander is using
Ill working out his strategic designs,
realize the fact that the American
army rs going forward in a constantly
increasing stream is the governing fac
tor in restoring the initiative to the
Allied forces. Plans are therefore TAX
ing shape rapidly at the War Depart
ment to accelerate and enlarge the
America military programme.
1T is now virtually certain that Cen
eral Foch will have at least 2,OOO. 900
American troops to supplement his AL
lied armies before the present fight
ing season closes. Secretary Baker
announced to-day the War Depart
ment's new programme embraces en-
larged army appropriations. modifica-
cations of the draft ages to increase
the reservoir Of fighting men, and plans
for a larger mobilization of the army
than any yet undertaken would soon
be ready for Congress.
Details Kept Secret
: He would give no details, but the
plans probably aim at getting under
arms without delay total force not
far short of the 100000 figure widely
discussed in Congress when the sub
ject was last under consideration there.
The fighting in the Aisne salient
where the whole German offensive
scheme has been upset. if not definitely
defeated, by the bold strategy of Cen
eral Foch, has opened new possibilities
There is increased need for haste. in
the opinion of officials, in getting full
American man power ready to supple
ment the efforts that appear now to be
back all along the front and beginning
the advance that will end only when
victory has been achieved.
Pershing's Reports Cheer
Reports to-day indicated that fully
one-half of all ground won by the Ger
mans in the Aisne salient already has
been torn from the enemy's grasp and
the French, British and American
troops were still pressing on at last
accounts.
Mr.. Baker said to-day that the last
reports from General Pershing were
that the minds of officials here are
engrossed in preparations for offensive
battles on an even larger scale.
The German offensive arch in France
has rested on two great pillars, one in
the Picardy front and the other on
the Marne 1t has been repeatedly
stated that the pressing home of this
mighty pincer movement, threatening
both Paris and the Channel ports as
it progressed, has been the German
objective from the first day the battle
of 1918 was opened last March.
German "Arch" Weakened
The southern pillar of that arch has
now been gravely weakened It's of
fensive value is gone. BY desperate eff
forts the Germans are seeking to pre-
vent it from collapsing altogether,
crushing whole divisions of their best
troops in it's fall. Even if the Allied
advance is checked now there appears
little likelihood that the enemy could
recreate his tactical position on basis
that would permit him to continue his
old plan of campaign before the COM
ing. of winter.
Meanwhile, British troops are still
nibbling away at the enemy in Fland-
ers and elsewhere to the north with
unvarying success. Just north of
Montdidier the French have struck
new blow. the full significance of which
is not yet clear. It's success. however,
was startling even from the meagre ac-
counts SO far received.
Some observers believed the new at
tack was a minor operation, designed
to pin German reserves to that front.
just as the British nibbling has pinned
enemy forces there when they were
badly needed in the south. Others saw
deeper strategy behind both British
efforts in Flanders and the French and
British local thrusts in Picardy.