The sun., 1918-05-18
Pershing Lets 1t Be Known
That Americans Arc
With Haig.
NATIONAL ARMY FORCE
Probably Includes Infantry
and Machine Gun Units
Recently in London.
RUSHED OVER IN APRIL
Men Arc Held in Reserve TO
Complete Training Be-
fore Battle.
RUSHED OVER IN APRIL
SPECIAL Despatch to THE S,s

WASHINGTON. May l7.--New York
troops, men Of the National Army. II
h assumed here, are on the firing line
In Flanders. Gen. fcrshing permitted
1t to be known to-day that American
troops had taken their places with
Field Marshal Haig's forces on the
Flanders front. where the resumption
OF the great German drive is being
awaited hourly. These troops include
men called by the draft.
The assumption that New Workers
are in this first American contingent
to join the Flanders front Is based on
cabled reports indicating that the
Americans now under Sir Douglas
Haig include the infantry and machine
gun units which were reviewed re
recently by King George In London.
Advices from London at that time
said that the major portion Of the
draftees were men from New York
city.
Military mon are convinced that the
Flanders front is TO be the hottest
part OF the great battle now impcnd-
ing. which means that the American.
rushed TO this section Of the line ave
to share with the British troops In the
defence of the Channel ports, one 9:
the German objectivea.
within sound Of Cans.
The Americans sent to Flanders are
to complete their final stage Of train.
ing within sound Of the heavy guns
and are part of the British reserve
forces which may be called on III
emergency. They form part OF the
reenforcements rushed overseas TO-
lowing the British appeal for men
made by Lloyd George in April
Some Of the American troops sent
overseas since the German drive beSaE
have joined the British and French ut
the Am!ens sector. but until to-day
there had been no mention Of Amerl.
can troops witt! the British on tho
Flanders front.
The statement that these Americans
are with the British 70 complete their
training is interpreted In army Circles
to mean that they are American
soldiers drafted into veteran Nr!.ish re-
serve units. All details concerning nunber
or Americans and the time they have
been with the British are withheld.
The belief here is that the troops wh.cn
include tho American troops hrigaded
with the British will not occupy the
front line at present. but will be held
in reserve for any emergency wh!cn
may arise when the Germans a,ain re-
sumo their effort to break through 10
the Channel ports
The presence Of the Americans, 4 q
explained not only provides an in.
creased reserve force TO be relied on
in case of emergency but also probably
releases more seasoned troops 20 tai.
up first lire positions The severity
of the recent fighting has forced Field
Marshal Ilag to call heavily on hs
reserves, and il became !mportau; 70,
him 10 be able speedily to Nil gaps IN
his reservoir of reserve troops Tl.,
timely arrival OF American nghtrx
forces has aided materially. It is be-
lieved, IN the solution OF this prob en-:
u" AdvabtaRc Of Allies.
,,,,,. r,., Cav. tho, ,,o ala,
In,, Amer,can roe,tor,e,,er.,,n r,n,,.u.
Will work 10 the advantage of the Allies
regardiess OF whether Germany at
tempts TO continue the drive now or
waits days or even weeks before resum.
ing major efforts In case the lull in
IN. Gphtinu con,iunes tho A,,o-,,,,s ali,
cornIa,a thor odvanco ,,,i,,,, ,
,puch IN tho s,,ro nanr,r ,h,, ,nc
suo, wh.n tho frs, Am.r,c,,. ,,o,, ,,,,>