Yerington times. [volume] (Yerington, Nev.) 1907-1932, 1918-03-30
MUST HAVE ARMY
OF FIVE MILLION
SPEED HUGE AMERICAN ARMY TO
FIRING LINE TO SAVE DAY,
GENERAL WOODS PLEA.
Every Other Consideration Should Be
Laid Aside, in His Opinion, to
Crowd Trained Armies
Upon French Soil.

Washington.-America must have an
army of 100000 men, half of whom
must be sent at once to the western
battle front of Europe.
This is the message which Major
General Leonard Wood brought from
France to the military affairs commit
tee of the senate and delivered to that
committee in executive session Mon
day afternoon. 1t may result in action
by the committee to speed upon legis-
lation for raising the draft age and
otherwise increasing the nations
armies.
The supreme need of the hour, Gen.
eral Wood told the committee, is more
man power. The sooner an army OF
100000 men is landed in France by
the United States, the sooner will come
the end of the war. Every other con-
sideration should be laid aside, in Cen
eral Woods opinion, to crowd trained
armies and their necessary supplies
upon French soil.
SO overpowering is this need for
men, General Wood said, that although
there is no ordnance of American man.
ufacture on the allies front, the Brit
ish and French governments will be
able to supply all the guns needed If
America will only furnish the men to
handle them.
General Wood praised highly the ma
tional army and expressed the opinion
that all of the men of this classifica-
ton now in training camps should be
dispatched to France Immediately. He
pronounced them as whole splendid
body of soldiers, whose devotion to
| training had rendered them ready for
active service.
To take the places of these men,
General Wood recommended immediate
drafts from the eligible registrants and
raising of the draft limit so that there
may be more men to draw from until
| 100000 are in the training camps.
General Wood found no discourage
ment in the latest news of the German
offensive. He said that the British had
fully prepared for it, although they had
not anticipated the drive would be so
rapid or that they would be compelled
to lose so large number of guns.
1t was pointed out by General Wood
that while the Germans are obliged TO
make their advances over rough, she'll
torn roads, the British have the ad-
vantage of smooth territory over which
| to conduct their withdrawal.
The roads behina the British lines
may also be used by the retreating
forces, but not by the enemy.
General Wood was inclined TO be-
| lieye this advantage would aid the
British more and more If the Germans
continue to advance into the battle
swept area. He said he believed the
British strategy would be to permit the
| Germans to penetrate as far as they
can into this territory before beginning
a counterthrust which may crush the
| enemy and drive them back.
General Woods view of the entire
situation was highly optimistic and he
| expressed himself to the committee as
being entirely satisfied q the success
of the allies in stopping the present
drive. He praised the morale of the
| British and French, who are in active
contact with the enemy, and said he
was much gratified to find the splendid
spirit and courage of the Americans.