Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-05-13
AWAIT FULL
U.S.ARMY TO
STRIKE HUNS
Will Build Up Mighty
Yank Force as Anglo
French Hold Foe.

Ottawa. Ont. May 13. - So
confident is the entente Of its
ability to withstand any drive
the Germans can launch that IL
has been decided not TO use the
American army until IL be-
comes a complete and powerful
force, according TO cable
summary of operations on the
western front received here
last night from the war eOm-
mittee OF the British cabinet.
Washington, May 13.-The de-
cision not to use the Americas
a, my in France until it has been
built up to proportions OF a com
plete and mighty force, first dis
closed to the public in last nights
dispatches from Ottawa based on
advices from the war committee
of the British cabinet, follows a
long period of consideration be-
tween two schools of military
strategists which have been con-
tending ever since the German
drive began as to the most effect
i've manner to use the American
forces
From the best information that
can be gathered here, one schoo1
of strategy has contended for us
ing the American forces in the bat
IL, line as fast as they arrive and
TO- conducting a continuous coun-
ter offensive with the hope of end
in. the war in 1918.
The other, it is understood has
favored using the American forces
very little, holding it back until
| fully organized with all the neces-
sary compliments of heavy artil-
lery, aircraft and other appurte-
nances and then striking a mighty
blow in conjunction with the Brit
ish and French which would Smash =.
the German lines and bring a de
cision.
Plan Long Discussed.
There were no official express
ions available on the subject to-
day. The knowledge tina. such
plan was being considered has
been very closely held by the fe'y
who have known it. II IS certain
that it has been the subject Of ex-
changes between the American.
British and French governments,
and has been discussed at Yer
sailles. Those who are most ia
miliar with the subject are OF the
opinion that the decision arrived
at probably agrees more with the
views of the British strategists
than it does with the French. al
though the views of GeneralissimD
Foch has not been fully disclosed
here by the officials who are cog
infant of them.
Cause of British Crisisi
There is just an indication that
the difference of opinion between
the two schools OF strategists might
have had reflection in the re-
cent British crisis. in which Gen
eral Maurice, differing with Pre-
mier Lloyd George made a public
announcement which led to his re-
tirement. There is. however, moth
ing more than a chain Of circum
stances to support this view.
The thing that seems certain is
that the business OF the American
trops to Europe will be pressed
rather than retarded and that there
will be redoubling of effort to equip
them with all the necessary heavy
artillery and other engines OF war
to quickly bring the full strength of
a great army to the battle front.
Army of 3,OO0.O0O.
Some officials in touch with tbs
program of the draft have recently
predicted that every available man
in class l would be called 10 the
colors during the summer. Prob
ably this means more than two
million in addition 10 more than a
million. who. al the present rate OF
progress, either will he in France
in camp. or under orders to move
Z to cantonments on May Is, the first
anniversary OF the passage OF the
draft law.
/ The confidence OF the British mill
! itary authorities that they can hold
! their line until American aid ar
/ rives in full force. or at least ex-
/ act such a heavy toll OF German life
! in falling back that the actual adj
/ vantage always will be with the
allied armies. IS very gratifying 20
/ military experts here. Some Of
| them are not in full accord with the
reported new plan Of making prac-
/ tically no use Of the AemTican army /
until IL reaches Its full strength
News to Washington
/ The announcement from ottawa
displaced all other questions IN
discussion today about the war de-
partment. y" the plan OF brigad-
! ing American troops with the
1 French and British divisions is q
be abandoned. as the statement In
dicates. high officers aere profess
! not 10 know it, The movement
of Infantry and machine gun units
to carry out the former project
meantime has not been interrupted
Change Is Welcomed.
American army officers, however
make no secret that they welcome
the change The decision to bri-
gade American units with the al