Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-04-03
Administration to Strain Every
Nerve to Make U. S. Man
Power Available.
EXECUTIVE HOPES TO END
CONFLICT THIS YEAR
Secretary Baker Is Keeping Mr.
Wilson in Close Touch With West
Front Conditions.

AIHcTiCdu IToOpS dle to pc mcIecu WIN
British and French forces when mill.
tary exigency demands it, were not an
nounced today, administration officials
and Army officers admitted that the ef-s
feet of the arrangement will be to in
sure earlier and more general participa-
tion of American soldiers in actual
fighting
President Wilson and heads Of the
l.war-making machine here have taken
further steps to send men abroad at .
greater rate and to train more men mn.
der higher pressure, to join them. The
attitude of the administration was de.
scribed az ono Of '.straining eSoey
nerve" to make Americas man power
available.
President Wilson has predicted that
this will be the decisive year Of the
| war. In the opinion of military officers
here, American, French and British, he
| has taken the decisive step toward
| making good his words.
Two Factors Involved.
Though no formal announcement has
! been made of the plans, II is apparent
| that the speeding-up process involves
| two factors. One is the use of all avail
| able ships to transport men abroad. The
other is the possibility OF calling more
| men to the training camps this year
than was first intended.
Measures to speed up the draft pro-
gram are in contemplation and an Of
hctal announcement is expected soon.
Reports that the total number to be
Il lad go ~ <Al t. ~ f.
100000 to 1.500.0p0 met with a denial
| The President has taken q step to-
ward cutting away red tape" In the.
| participation Of the United statAa.
xmsricsn Amer ssn ana = .Iiisd & ap1Ds 91.rssrs ers se
presence Of Secretary Baker In Europe,
1t Is believed. and possibility of dfr6cf
communication between the head Of fhs
chief Of the Army here was a factor IN
making possible this clearing away of
bothersome routine.
President in Close Touch.
1t was indicated today that the Presf-
dent may be in closer touch with the
situation abroad than even most high
Army ofiicials here, for the latter pro-
fessed ignorance of the exact details
of the ways In which the brigading Of
American troops with British and
French units IL TO be accomplished But
the Presidents approval of the course
was taken to mean that he had been
informed about the methods to be ern-
ployed.
| 1t was pointed out that the substftu-
tion of battalions of Americans for sim.
liar units of French or British troops
under allied commanders was but an
extension to the fighting front of an
arrangement which has been in vogue
for some time in connection with train
ing of Americans. who were merged
with the British and French behind the
lines. But the assumption that the
merging is to be done by substitution
of battalions is only speculation. for
the information so far received, II was
i stated, has not given clear indication
of what plan is being adopted.
Withholding of further casualty lists
for publication until the order made
public last night from Secretary Baker
directing that all information regarding
American troops overseas be centralized
in Gen. Pershings hands is construed
more clearly, was an indication OF the
full desire of officers here to Cooperate
fully in the wishes of the overseas
commander, who is in close touch with
the rapidly changing situation.
So many conditions now are arising
daily in connection with the big drive
that American officers here admit that
they cannot even guess with a show of
accuracy at the reasons behind events
or predict what is to happen.
For example, they point out that from
this side the present lull in the fighting
following Germany's great drive is not
explicable here.
There is nothing to indicate whether
the Germans or the allies will be the
first to renew the attack. Delay in max
ing the expected counter attack by the
allies today was construed as favorable
sign The theory is that the German
losses have been so heavy that IL il
probable that the allies are gaining
much by their skirmishes. and there II
also evidence that weather conditions
are making the German task of digging
into their new positions difficult.
Having defeated the purpose of the Ger
mans in cutting of the British from the
French forces, and having repulsed them
from Arras. Aniens and other important
points, the victory as matters now stand
is with the British If the Germans do
strike again 1T is thought they will do SO
between Montdidier and Arras. rather than
to the south, where there is evidence that
the French are massing for a counter at
tack when a favorable opportunity offers
May Treble q. 8. Participation.
The bringing of American soldiers
into the summers fighting, not only
in the American expeditionary army
itself, but also in the fighting ranks
of the allied troops, means that tho
extent of Americas participation will
be doubled or even trebled in the COM
ing battle, which may last for months.
Reviewing the meager Information.
that has been available as to the great ],
things that have been accomplished
since the German drive began, many
oficials were convinced that Mr.. Baker
had been sent to Europe by President
Wilson for the purpose of bringing
about just the amalgamatton of forces
that has been effected. In urging single
command for the whole battle front in
the west. II was regarded as certain
that the American war Secretary
would not have gone empty-handed to
the conferences.
The strength of the American Army
actually in France was not euficient to
warrant more than plea for new
mea sures to meet the German onrush.
With the whole man power Of tie
United States made Immediately avail.
able to play its part in the ranks Of tie
allied arieies, as well as in the purely
American forces. however. II Wae
argued that Mr.. Baker could speak with
compelling force. There are many who
believe that he crossed the ocean a.
tforixed to make this great sacrfdce Of +
49, x~--X