The sun., 1918-04-05
PERSHING'S MEN
NOW IN PICARDY
Being Brigadcd With French
and British Opposing
German Wedge.
BALFOUR THANKS WILSON
Trained Reserves Released by
Shipment of New Troops
From This Side.
BALFOCR THANKS WILSON
Spcroi Despoich TO THE syS


WASHINGTON. April Cen. Per-
shings men have reached the Picardy
battle field and are being brigaded with
French and British troops opposing the
pick OF Germany's shock battalions
News of the arrival Of the Americans
has been hailed with enthusiasm
throughout the Allies lines. Arthur
James Ealfour has cabled the British
Governments appreciation to Lord
Reading, the British Ambassador, .or
transmission to President Wilson,
1t is explained that the Importance OF
American soldiers now taking their
places In the thick OF the fight lies
in the fact that it has served as a
signal that American man power is
ready sooner than anticipated. and that
from now on the resources of the United
States in man power as we'll az In other
resources is to be factor on the side
Of the Allies
I; was learned to-day on the best OF
authority tina; the Allies are already
deriving immediate practical benefit
from the thousands Of American troops
leaving or ready to leave American
ports for Europe. As soon as these
troops are ready word Is being flashed
by cable that they are about to em.
bark.
Releases Reserves.
The British then at once release an
equal number Of trained reserve troops
for the firing line on the assumption that
~ As
a period which can be calculated in ad-
vance Thus I 900 or 90. 900 Americans
leaving here at once releases 10000 or
10000 troops FOR action
The plan for troop shipments to take
priority over everything, including food
as was described in to-dsy's SrN, ad-
mi.tedly entails some sacrifice cn the
part OF the civilian populations OF
France and Great Britain. but word has
reached here that Ils sacrifices Will be
willingly borne.
Infantry troops with hight equipment
, SUCH as machine guns will form "A large
portion Of the forces being rushed to the
other side The fact that American sol
d!ers are used with French and Brttisi
examinations obviates the necessity OF
sending heavy artillery and other Ike
equipment for the present.
The cablegram OF appreciation from
MIR Balfour marks the end of British
| opposition to the appointment Of Gen
Foch as supreme commander OF th'
| allied forces on the western front. ac
cording to officials and diplomats here.
Used Full strength.
! Advices from London state that The
| Germans in their drive had not only
/ massed great numbers Of troops froT
the Russian front. but had assembled al
! the guns available from there. together
, with guns captured from the Russians
and also Austrian guns.
! This concentrated strength was thrown
! against a relatively small section Of thu
allied line pursuant to plans to breal
the line open sufficiently to allow 9
great thrush OF troops which could OBJ
tain decisive results and overcome al
| opposition. In view OF the gigantic
preparations made months In advance
| the results achieved by thc German
drive are regarded AZ insignificant II
British circles.
There is a tendency. however. TO guart
against the belief that the German Of
fensve IL over. The consensus Is tina
the Germans will renew their assaults
and that weeks II not months OF tn,
most sanguinary and desperate hghtini
are almost certain to come.