The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-03
america PLACES
| HER PRIDE AS
| A NATION UPON
| ALTAR OF WAR
Stands Ready to Bury In
dividuality of Army
in Order to Win
Victory
ALL ANNOUNCEMENTS
OF ACTIVITY COMES
NOW FROM PERSHING
Baker Gables Washington
Officials News of Euro
pean Battle Not to
Be Given Out

Washington, April 2.--Nhslc the hat
tie In Picardy halted today in a iuu
that may only foreshadow the break
ing of n new and more terrible storm,
American troops were fastening TO
Join In the fray with their French and
British comrades. Formal announces
ment from London that these uuita
would ne merged with the allied war
machines Indicated to officials that
losses of the allies would he immcdi-
ately made good with vigorous youmv
Americans, Keen for the hattie and t.se
stage set without delpy not only For
a counter offensive but for agfsrcssiye
warfare without pause until the Gcr-
man indaver shall not only be checked
but hurled back 20 ultimate military
defeat.
President Wilson has predicted that
this will be the decisive year or ths
war In the opinion OF military ofA-
GERS here, both American French ana
British he has taken the decisive step
toward making his words good The
power of American manhood IS 10 be
brought to bear without delay, not
army itself, but also insthe fighting
ranks of the allied armies, BY this
means the effect Of American inter-
vention in the war, ii was said. will be
doubled or even trebled, and In COM
ing days of the battle which may last
Tor months, Americans by the nun
dreds of thousands viii play their part.
ORpER ER0M RACED
| No explanation Of the announcement
from London was made today at the
war department. Probably not more
than very few OF the highest off,
Gals know precisely what method is to
be adopted to rush additional forces to
| France. Instead OF an explanation.
Major General March. acting chief OF
staff, made public an order from Sec
rotary Baker. now in Europe, directing
eaat all information hereafter regaro-
ms the activity or American troors
overseas be centralized In General
/ PershinG's hands The war depart
ment win not give out any statements
relating to those forces.
/ Presumably. under the new plan OF
merging American units In the allied
armies, and also because of the crea-
| ton of supreme commander in the
person of General Foch. under whose
direction General Pershing. as well as
General Petain and Field Marshal Haig
are now operating, it has been found
admissible to provide for uniform
system of reporting military opera
| lions.
BAKERS MISSION
Reviewing the meager information
that has been available as to the great
| things that have been accomplished
since the German drive began. many
officials were convinced tonight that
Mr. Baker had been sent to Europe by
President Wilson for the purpose Of
bringing about just the amalgamation
of forces that has been effected. In
urging single command for the whole
battle front in the west 1t was regard
ed as certain that the American war
secretary would not have gone empty
handed to the conferences. Tho
strength of the American army actually
in France was not sufficient to war
rant more than a plea for new meas
uISS W meet tHC Siti ihot Jill ISL. y AtiA
the whole man power of the United
States made Immediately available to
play its part in the ranks of the allies
armies, as well as in the purely Ameri-
can forces. however. 1t was argued
that Mr. Baker could speak with com-
polling force.
SACRIFICE OF PRIDE
There are many who believe that ha
crossed the ocean authorized to make
this great sacrifice Of pride in national
achievement upon the altar of world de-
Imocracy Whatever may have been ths
original purpose Of the secretary's mis-
sion, the complete unification OF Ger-
many's three most powerful enemies has
been accomplished. The effect. officers
believe. will be seen shortly at the battle
'front.'
Just before Secretary Baker left for
Europe he had under consideration new
plans for establishing American centers
with the British forces as well as with
the French. No determination had been
rea ched, he said. shortly before he left.
The plan at that time. however. con-
; templated only training in order to has
ten the arrival in France Of Americas
forces in sufficient numbers to infiut