The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-03-30
FULL US, AID
OFFERED ROCH
BY PERSHING
French Military Genius Re-
ccivcs Congratulations
From Wilson.
lie CALLS FOR TROOPS
President Takes Action to
Rush American Reinforce
ments to France.
lie CALLS FOR TROOPS

Special DespetcA to THE SrS.
WASHINGTON, March :e.-Ien. Foch.
the brilliant military genius Of France,
"a. been placed in supreme command
- all tho allied and American forces
IN the western front in the battle
against Germany For the FIRST time
since tne war began there is unity of
command.
President Wilson. through Gen. Per-
ching promptly has placed at the dis
posal Of Gen. Foch all OF the American
'roops IN France and has followed this
~ giving orders TO increase troop ship
r.n,s as rapidly as possible.
Late tonight Gen March made public
cabiegram received late to-day from
Disr. Pershing after a conference with
ven. Foch. The message read:
Have made all our resources avail.
able and our divisions will he used II
and when needed. French nre in fine
spirits and both armies seem conn.
Dent. PERSHING.
Following the Presidents conGratula-
tory message to Gen. Foch to-day
Conference was called at the War De-
partment at the instance of the Preai-
aent had been informed Yesterday Of the
decision to make Gen. Foch supreme
commander of the interallied forces
through a csblegram received from Gen.
Tasker H. Bliss. the American chief OF
star with the Supreme War Council.
The President. who for many months
as been strongly IN favor OF such
step at once sent cable Instructions to
len. Pershng to call Immediately on
- %>I Ia,
D. the assistance Of all American forces
n France In the great task which faces
the French General. This means that
the American Government has formally
recognized Gen. Foch as the supreme
commander and that American Generals
rom Pershing down are prepared to ac-
ept his orders. 1t also means that all
he resources of this country behind the
men on the fighting line are to be used
= the general cooperative plan
PershinR's visit to Foch.
The conference between Gen. Foch and
zen Pershina. which took place TO-DAY
at Gen. Foch's headquarters in France
Al the direction of the President, was
,i ,norrentous significance so far as this
ountrys war plans were concerned.
like Rochambeau offering the assist
aace % the French armies to Washing
-on Gen. Pershing told Gen. Foch that
'he American troops were ready to Aght
Il his command in the present battle.
zen. Foch Is understood to have en-
phaszed the need Of more American
'-oops and his views were cabled to the
President bv Gen. Pershing
Gen. Foch will have supreme COM
:aand over all the allied forces on the
western front thereby being Com
'aander in Chief over Field Marshal
iiaig, Gen. Wilson, Gen. Petain and
Gen. Pershing. These officers will re-
'.!a their ranks in their respective
armies, but Gen. Foch will be the d.
letting genius Of all the armies on the
allied side as Field Marshal Won linden
jowers' armies.
Hy virtue of his role as Commander
- Chief Gen. Foch will direct this
operation of the reserve armies now
about to be thrown against the Ger
'aan wedge. These reserve forces
i.nown as strategic reserves, have here
')forc not been in the form Of an army
mt have been troops 50 placed a
strategic points that they could be as
scmbled Into fghting organization
With the least possible delay and nad'
ready to strike wherever their assist
erce was vitality needed
In one sense Gen. PershinS's actor
to-day in placing his forces at tho die
posal OF Gen. Foch means that Ger
Pershing has formally reported for dut'
under his Commander In Chief.
To-day's Cabinet meeting was take
'.p almost entirely with discussion o
the military situation and the effect o
ne unific1 ton of command that has nov
zen accomplished. Tho President afte
forming the Cabinet Of the steps tina
.qd been taken read to them the cable
-ram he had prepared congratulatin
Gen. Foch This message was sent Will
IN. Cabinet meeting was still In sessior
Immediately after the Cabinet meet
Ing the President sent for Acting Sec
',tary Of War Croweil and took UP tn
guestion Of responding to Gen. Foch'
sppea! by speeding up transportation o
american troops TO France. He directe
Mr, Croweil to call q conference at ono
os those In touch with branches OF tn
',overnment concerned In executing thi
Ian.
Chairman Hurley of the Shippin
2oard vas sent for and with Mr.. Crow
eN, Mstor-Gen. March, representative
= the Qua arterrnaster's Department an
=. Food Administration went over ever
H7ase Of the situation. the meeting last
''g until o'clock.
Troops Ready to Go.
american troops are ready 20 60 (
-ance in greater numbers and the!
-"e ships ready TO take them provide
o Allies feel they can forego som
'' r."i~ food requirements for the tin.
ling In other words. the question c
-3""i ps up troops now largely rest
"'A The Allies Decision % this roi,
.E cSocct"d without delay.
Although some uncertainty seems &c
'sal 20 ex's; In diplomatic circles as I
"l.e'oer or not Gen. Foch IL to have s.,
rene command II was asserted at
Continued on Third Pags.)