The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-03-28
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More Pressure on e. s. To Place
Troops in France.
England and France Anxious
To See SammieS.
CUT DOWN TRAINING HERE
General Wood Advises More
Work Over Seas.
Meanwhile War Council Will
Speed Up at Home.
CUT DOWN TRAINING HERE
BY CARL D. GROAT.

Washington, March % Strong
pressure is being brought tc bear upon
the American government to hasten
and increase troop movements over
seas in support of the valiantly strug-
Cling allies.
This pressure comes from England,
France and within the army.
France some weeks ago first urged
the movement and england has now
added her plea in a message to the
British ambassador and communi-
Gated to this government And Cen
Leonard Wood is anxious to have men
hurried across with less training on
this side than was accorded the first
draft men.
Wood suggests that slow ships be
segregated in conveys. At present
ships of varying speeds are guarded
by speedy destroyers and the whole
convoy must be tuned down to accom-
modate the slowest ship.
Segregation of the slower ships
would tend to speed up the general
troop movement Wood believes.
AS for shortening the period of
training, there is a clash of opinion
here. Wood thinks it well to train
the men overseas as much as possible,
so that rapid shifts in methods of
fighting may be followed.
On the other hand. general army
opinion is for at least four or five
months training, while most officers
agree that one to two years would be
preferable The present crisis, how
ever, makes shorter training periods
necessary, according to the majority
opinion.
Jap and Dutch Shipping.
Only a short time before the great
offensive, General March and others
took steps to increase the troop move
ments at the appeal of France. Taking
of Dutch ships will improve the over
seas transport of men and materials
and completed arrangements for
/ so, 900 tons of Japanese shipping will
further improve the situation.
The general feeling here is that with
the present ship facilities. troop trans
port is now about up to maximum
Shifts in the convoy system and the
inclusion of a few soldiers in every
cargo ship, however would help the
increase. according to suggestions of
naval officials
War Council Busy.
President Wilson's informal war
council is seeking to straighten out
kinks in the war machine to the end
that there shall be:
Less railroad congestion
More speed in ship construction.
Better facilities for handling fuel
and food situations
Increased activity from the war in
dustries and war trade boards
And, as a whole, more effective
prosecution of the war.
This council, with Secretary Daniels
and Provost Marshal General Crow
der added, will meet each Wednesday.
1t will seek remedies for calls which
have clogged the war machine.
War officials the past few days
have emphasized that American troops
are counted on as the great reserve.
They still said today the Hun would
be held off, but they pointed out that
the future will demand of the United
States vast contribution if Germany
is finally to be beaten. The process
of holding and perhaps hurting back
the Germans now will draw heavily
| on the strength of England and
France. The struggle of meeting this
offensive, Lloyd George suggested
may take long time yet. This was
taken here to indicate that he foresees
the possibility of a new offensive in
Italy or elsewhere on the west front.
Today's early news gave authori-
ties confidence. 1t is likely the ex-
perts said, that Germany will be held