The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-04-03

expeditionary army itself but ais
armies. BY this means the effee
war, it is said will be doubled or
Of the battle, which may last
hundreds of thousands will play
No explanation of the announce
ment from London was made today
by the war department. Probably
not more than very few OF the high
est officials know precisely what meth
cd is to be adopted to rush addition
al forces to France. Instead OF an
explanation Major General March,
acting chief of staff, made public an
order from Secretary Baker, now in
Europe, directing that all information
hereafter regarding activities OF AM
erican troops overseas be centralized
in General Pershing's hands. The
war department will 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 oft he crea-
ton of a supreme commander in the
person of General Foch, under whose
direction General. Pershing as we'll as
General Petain and Field Marshal Halg
are now operating. has been found ad-
yisable to provide for uniform sys-
tenn of reporting military operations.
Baker Thot Behind Plan.
Reviewing the meagre information
that has been available as to the great
things that have been accomplished
since the German drive began, many
officials We're convinced tonight that
Mr.. Baker had been sent to Europe by
President Wilson for the purpose OF
bringing about just the amalgamatlon
of forces that has been effected. In
urging single command for the whole
battle front in the west. IS was regard
ed 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 sufficient
to warrant more than a plea for new
measures to meet the German onrush.
With the whole man power OF the
United States made Immediately avail
able to play its part in the ranks OF
the allied armies as we'll as in the
purely American forces, however, it
was argued that Mr.. Baker could
speak with compelling force. There
are many who believe that he crossed
the ocean authorized TO make this
great sacrifice OF pride in national a
chieyement upon the altar OF world
democracy
His Training Plan.
Just before Secretary Baker left for
Europe, he had under consideration
new plans for establishing American
training centers with the British fore
es as we'll as with the French No
determination had been reached, ne
said shortly before he left The plan
at that time. however, contempt ted
only training in order 10 hasten the
arrival in France Of American forces
in sufficient numbers 10 influence the
war decisiyely the men were TO De
put through the British training sys-
TEN, from receiving camps 10 front
line trenches, then TO be turned over
to General Pershing for Incorporation
in his army This was one way sug-
gested for short cutting supply and
transportation problems since the
British trained units would be equip
ped and supplied by the British.
The actual plan adopted apparently
is an outgrowth of this proposal but
II is far more significant, for it con-
templates not only training but actual
operations in battle combined British
American and French-American forces
in addition to General Pershing's own
army the upbuild!ng of which it to be
pressed forward with every urgency
Americans Praised.
OF the showing American troops now
in this country will make at the front,
have studied the environments and the
British and French officers here who
men probably are the best judges
They agree that the American soldier
who has had from sixty to ninety days
instruction here is fully ready to go
to the front, provided he is surround
cd. with veteran troops. They have
been deeply impressed by the intelli-
renee and quick perception Of the AM
orleans. There are hundreds OF thous-
ands Of men now available both here
and in Europe who are physically fit
and mentally ready for battle, they
say, and it is these men who are to be
used. Associated with the British and
French veterans, they will pick up the
finer p0ints they lack in a matter of
weeks 81 even days, these officers say,
ana they confidently predict that the
moving of the men in battle Will more
fkan Justify their use without waiting
ar their full training course to have
been contemplated.
l,T'he German general staff has comb
VI Germany to find reserves for the