Evening star., 1918-01-26
Record Before Senate Military
Committee Authorized 200,-
600 Blankets From Spain.
EARLY MOVEMENT OF
TROOPS TO FRANCE CAUSE
Gen. Sharpe Insisted Record Be
Made of Difficulty in Sup
plying Soldiers.


public today diseloses that on December
Is Gen. Pershing was authorized to
buy 100000 British uniforms for Ameri-
can troops and 100000 blankets in Spain
The record also shows that Q. NJ. Gen.
Sharpe insisted that inasmuch as num-
bers of American troops were sent to
France practically year ahead OF the
time planned, some record of the sltua-
tion should be made to show the cond1-
tion under which he was placed to fur
nish supplies. Secretary Baker wrote an
Endorsement recognizing the quarter
master generals difficulties.
On October 9 a memorandum by Gen.
Sharpe quoted a cablegram from Gen.
Pershing saying the American expedl-
tion had practically no supplies on
hand.
That high Army officers UNDERSTOOD
last October that second, third and
fourth calls for drafted men. OF 4oo'ooo'
500, 1000 and 100000 men, respectively
were contemplated, is another inter-
esting disclosure of secret testimony
in the Senate military committees war
INQUIRY, made public through distrlbu-
tion of the committee record.
More Testimony Received.
Another volume of the committees
testimony was received today from
the government printing office. but
most of the confidential testimony ex-
o1o iS l.
able.
The information regarding military
plans are in orders and memorandas
exchanged between Secretary Baker,
the chief of staff, adjutant general and
Quartermaster Gen. Sharpe.
In the latter's testimony Is memo-
randum Of Cen Sharpe. now puoafsh-
ed for the first time. warning his su-
periors of clothing shortages because
of the revised plans to rush troops to
France and also to call out the Ma
tional Army earlier. The memorandum
dated September II, to Secretary Baker,
states:
rafying an army was under discussion.
there was no intention whatever OF
sending any troops abroad until Marcn,
1918 The arrangements for procure
in view :. Early in May, how
ever, it was determined to ship troops
abroad at once .. 1t is thought,
in justice to this officer. that above
facts should be of record In other
words, the problem of supply was not
considered when the dispatch of troops
was arranged
Mr.. Bakers Endorsement.
In reply, Secretary Baker made the
following Endorsement:
The difficulties of the quartermaster
general are recognized and they have
been great"
Regarding reported plans for further
draft calls. a memorandum from Gen.
Sharpe to the chief of staff on October
stated:
1T is understood that a second, third
and fourth call for selective draft men
for 456, 900, 100000 and 100000 men is
contemplated In order that this office
base estimates of the quantities Of sup
plies needed by months, information is
requested as to the approximate date
these calls will be made"
Gen. Bliss. chief of staff. replied:
THE question as to whether or not
subsequent calls for selective draft men
will be made, and if SO, the numbers to
be called has not yet been determined
and the information asked for cannot
therefore be furnished"
Another memorandum of Gen.
Sharpe's published states that last April
he was authorized to prepare for L.
078 900 men and would be able to equip
them sufficiently for drilling purposes
by September 80, but that the camps
were ordered to be opened September 1.
Gen. Sharpe's Memorandum.
On October 1S a memorandum from
Cen Sharpe to the chief of staff states
that eff it is not deemed advisable to
discontinue the shipment of troops
abroad, the necessity of providing ad-
eouate clothing for the upkeep of
troops already abroad is imperative"
This followed receipt October l of a
report from Gen. Pershing on the
clothing situation.
In a reply on October % to Gen.
Sharpe from the adjutant general it
was stated that 1t was:
'"The decision of the President to be-
gin sending troops abroad at an earlier
date than had been anticipated by him.
and to call the increments of the Ma
tional Army at an earlier date than he
had recommended . and that in
order to do this he had called upon the
War Department to put forth yery
strenuous efforts, which efforts have SO
far fairly well met the needs from day
to day and the Secretary is convinced
that this same energy will meet all
future calls upon the War Depart
ment." and that while the
supply situation continues to be criti.
cal. supplies will be continued to be
distributed in such manner that none
will suffer-