Evening star., 1918-02-07
u. S. TROOPS m FRANCE MORE
THAN ENTIRE ARMY YEAR AGO.

NEW YORK, February 7.-Announce-
ment that France will be able before
July 1 to manufacture enough artil-
lery to supply twenty American di-
visions, or approximately 100000 troops,
If the United States meanwhile ad-
heres to an understanding by which
France would receive the necessary
raw material from America, was made
here last night by Andre Tardieu.
French high commissioner to this coun-
try. Mr.. Tardieu made the statement
also that there are in France today
more American troops than comprised
the American Army at the time the
United States entered the war: at that
time, he said. the American Army con-
tanned about 212.0OO officers and men.
The French official spoke at dinner
which was part of New York's cele-
bration of the Jour de rAlliance Fran
caise, which was observed throughout
the United States and Canada yesterday.
the anniversary of the treaty between
France and the American colonies in
1TIS. Jules j. Jusserand, the French
ambassador, also was guest OF honor.
Asserting that secrecy ought to be
a thing of the past, because our oemoc.
ra
Mr.. Tardieu said that just apprecia-
tion of the results achieved by Amer
ica in its war preparations is a stlmu-
LIANT for effort, and nobody mas tne
right to refuse to the American peopae
this stimulant" The commissioner re-
viewed the nations accomplishments
and outlined what France had done IN
the way of manufacturing oronance
both for the United States and 1or
Frances other allies.
5000 Guns in Line.
I'VE have in the line" he said. about
49, 900 guns of every caliber. and every
day more than 100000 shells are turned
out BY our factories. To get those
guns, to produce those sheiis, we Gre
ated an industry which did not exist
before the war and (which has enabled
US not only to arm ourselves, Out aiso
to arm our allies.
'Without speaking of what we manu-
facture for you-and that is seVerai
hundred guns month-we have during
the past three years given to our ailles
in Europe 1,35o,0oO rifles. $4,000 auto
matte rifles. 10000 machine guns. 500.
900, 900 cartridges. $500 guns 1850
aeroplaneS-
The adoption without any modinca,
ton of our various types Of guns would
certainly have saved some time to the
benefit of American production, and
some delays may be the consequence OF
the improvements you are looking for.
always, and rightly at that. aiming at
better results.
Supply Necessary Material.
"But. as we have agreed. 1t is under
stood, that you should supply and trans
port to France the necessary raw ma
terials, we will. under such conditions,
be able. in France, to deliver to you
before July 1 enough guns thoroughly
to equip twenty of your divisions. The
situation, therefore. is completely safe
in that respect"
Mr.. Tardieu described Americas mill
tary effort as wonderful and splendid"
and asserted it had been "a surprise to
the enemy"
Alluding to the raising of the Ma
tional Army, Mr.. Tardieu declared that
mo event of wider import has ever
taken place since the beginning OF the
war" He continued:
Thus your government. with a clear
and courageous view, has given you the
strength of numbers. the first condition
Of military power. In April, 1917. you
have now 10000 officers and 100000
men, and the number of your men in
France at the present moment is nota-
bly, in excess Of the establishment of
your Army nine months ago."
Taking Every Measure.
France, ne SAID, mas taken every
necessary measure" SO that America
can complete. in France. the training
begun here. Regarding aviation,
American development had been be
yond all expectations" he declared. He
outlined how America had helped the
entente also financially and with ship
ping. food and fuel-aid which he de-
scribed as Immense and conclusive"
wherever, on special points" he add
ed. alluding to his association with Of
icials at Washington. Il believe that
mistakes have been made, I say 1t
frankly; the heads of the cabinet or
the heads Of your departments know
1t from their own experience"
ST have the optimism of the satisfied"
Mr.. Tardieu said. discussing the situa-
tion generally, land as long as shall
be here as the representative of my
country will ask from you, every day.
a still greater effort. After forty-three
months of war our needs are huge in
deed. and in order to supply them enor-
nous sacrifices are required of you
The speaker recalled that America. in
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