The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-03-26
FIVE MILLIONMEN
CAN Be FURNISHED;
SHIPS ARE LACKING
By DAVID LAWRENCE.


army at home. When General Woot
states that the French are disap
pointed with the sic OF the American
army. he IS thought to be reflectinl
the view OF many French people WHIT
were led by certain leaders to expect
that large forces would fnmediatelY
follow the initial contribution other
wise the FIRST regiments would hav'
not made SO profound psychological
impression
But the French government never
expected any larger number thar
have come over seas, and every of.
fetal and unofficial statement hither'
to made has stated that France was
more than gratified by what Amer
lea had done, that indeed we had sent
more men than she really anticipated
would come this year.
Unfortunately General Woods ties.
dmony Is not available for publica-
ton, as II was given in secret session,
and versions OF what he said were
given out second hand by Senators
who heard him. Therefore it is not
believed that General Wood did pre-
tend to express the disappointment OF
France as whole over Americas
effort thus Tar. but merely those por-
lions OF the populace to whom large
estimates were given by overenthusl-
astic French newspapers.
Plane Lack Serious.
But what General Wood says about
the lack Of battlepIanes at the front
does bring to light a rather serious
situation. The United States has had
trouble with the manufacture Of
battleplanes. Contracts were let
early, but all the firms that thought
they could make them haven't pro-
duced the machines. We depended
really on the French who promised
us an adequate number OF battle
planes. But the French for one rea-
con or another have been unable to
tnInn their own promises, and Amer
lea nnds herself somewhat handi-
capped at the front.
Deliveries Of battleplanes from AmerI-
- now have begun, however, and with
The aid OF the French It's expected that
oerore the American troops are extern
etvely engaged they will be well supplied
though the constant menace Of German
oattleplanes IL disconcertinK.
As for training planes, the United
States has manufactured more rapidly
Than the French. and instead Of sending
America aviators to France for their
training hereafter they will be kept on
this side until qualified TO 1y In fact,
there n q surplus of training planes in
this country, and the storage OF them
FOR future use has already begun. I'm
deed. It was thought for time that II
might be wise to send back to America
on the lightly laden transports many of
the afiators who could get no instrlc-
ton In France due to the shortage Of
training planes.
ensliSSiSSsi ; : .5SsI$s,sss--- : =
Deliveries in France by July OF a
large number OF combat planes are
confidently expected, and the French
in the meantime, 1t is hoped, will be
able to provide the American avia-
tors with machines for emergency
uses Undoubtedly there will be care
full inquiry into this subject by the
Senate committee as an outgrowth of
General Woods testimony.
Incidentally the probable status OF
General Wood himself is being wide
~ discussed. He must take his ply
steal examination in a few days
Major General Scott and many other
prominent generals have been reliev-
ed from duty because of physical dis
ability. There will be, genuine regret
in army circles II General Wood is
found physically incompetent by the
examining board, for while his ire
mendous driving power would be use
full in q stan position. most people
here would like to see him in COM
mand of divisions at the front
With General Woods call for more
men TO go into training there is
agreement in principle, but FIVE mil
lion is considered out OF the question
because of the lack Of tonnage to
transport them sooner than two
years. In that event, while the
effect of the German offensive will be
TO hasten Americas mobilization, IT
Is not unlikely that the United
States will not summon anything like
ave million men to the colors, but
will continue her present policy OF
raising rs many men as will not in
terfere with the Cow of food and sup
plies, to- Great Britain and France.
This number may increase as our de-
stroyers cut dow nthe losses by sub
marines, but military experts. would
count It as a marvellous accomplish
nent IL two million American sol
diers are transported TO France be-
fore the end OF the year 1919.