Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-05-13
British Ambassador Announc-
es Ottawa Report Is Contrary
to Information Received.
ADDS TO PUZZLE FOR
AMERICAN OFFICERS
Possibility Suggested Here Is That
Great Force May Be Prepared to
Strike Powerful Blow.

Lord Reading, the British ambassador,
in statement here today, declared tho
announcement coming by way Of Ot-
tawa that the American Army would not
be fully utilized on the western front
until developed to its full strength was
directly opposite to information he had.
received from the British war cabinet
and that he was in the dark as to its
meaning.
The dispatch from Ottawa referred to
attributed a statement to 'the war
committee of the British cabinet" to
the effect that SO confident is the entente
of its ability to Withstand a German
drive that it has been decided not to
use the American Army until it becomes
complete and powerful force.
The ambassadors statement added to
the puzzle in which American officers
found themselves today on reading the
tial information reaching here recently
Indicated that such plan as outlined
from Ottawa was under discussion.
Am0aSSaQ0f 8 SLaremenI.
The ambassador authorized the fol-
lowing statement:
THE statement attributed to the
British war cabinet, to the effect that
the allies are So confident that. having
been given the choice of small I'M
mediate American Army for defense. or
waiting till they are REINFORCED by q
complete. powerful. self-supporting
hoy- oh hA
latter is diametricaliy opposed to all
information received by me from the
British war cabinet and to all the re-
quests which l have been asked by
them to make to the United States ad-
ministration.
"I am quite in the dark as to the
origin of the statement. At present all
l can say is that 1 am convinced that
the document has not been issued with
the-knowledge Of the prime minister
or the British war cabinet"
One Element Of Doubt.
One source of doubt about the dis
patch from Ottawa expressed here to-
day was in connection with the at
tributing of the statement to the war
committee Of the British mabinet." Brit
ish officials here know Of no such commit
tee.
There is a war cabinet, mostly made
up of ministers without portfolio. head
from the British cabinet which includes
the full scope of the peace time depart
ments of the government.
OF one thing officers here seemed sure
today, though they were without any
official information. and that was tina,
the brigading arrangement ehectec
with the French and British armies had
not been abandoned. one possibility. IL
was suggested. was that the nrlsanlns
already done would continue in effect,
but that, pending further emergency
demands, newly arrived troops from
America would continue under Ameri-
can command.
Being Rapidly Modified.
It has become apparent that Ameri-
army rapidly, and that with these
plus the British and French,
reserves and the Italians who are ar
rivfng daily, Gen. Foch Is building up
4 large reserve force.
1t is entirely possible. military mon
said today, that this activity In aug
menting the reserves points to prepara-
ton Of great force which will be able.
when Gen. Foch is ready, and when the
force of the German drive has spent it,
self to strike a tremendous counter
blow.
There has been a long period of con.
sideration between two schools OF mil
itary strategists which have been con-
began as to the most effective manner
to use the American forces.
From the best informati tion that can
be gathered here, one school OF strategy
has contended for using the American
forces in the battle line as fast as they
arrive. and for conducting a continuous
counter offensive with the hope of end
ing the war in 1918.
Would Strike Mighty Blow.
The other. 1t is understood. has IA
little, holding the Army back until fully
organized, with all tho necessary COM
pletments Of heavy artillery. aircraft
and other appurtenances, and then
with the British and French which
would smash the German lines and
bring decision.
There were no omcial expressions
that such plan was being
considered has been closely held by
the few who have known 1t. It is
that it has been the subject
Of exchange between the American.
British and French governments and
has been discussed at
Those who are most IA
miliar with the subject are of the
opinion that the decision arrived at
probably agrees more with the views
Of the British strategists than it does
with the French, although the views
Of General1SSlmO FOch nave not been
fully disclosed here by officials who
are cognizant of them.
There is just an indication that the
Inference of opinion between the two
schools of strategists might have had
/ reflection in the recent British crisis.
n which Gen. Maurice. differing with
Premier Lloyd George, made a public
which led to his retire.
nent There is, however. nothing more
han a chain of circumstances to sup
,ort this view, and for military reasons
t may not be pursued for a full dis
ussion.
Troops to Be Rushed.
The one thing that seems certain.
however, is that the business of rush.
ng American troops to Europe will be
pressed rather than retarded, and that
here will be a redoubling of effort to
quip them with all the necessary heavy
and other engines of war quick
v to bring the full strength of a great
lrmy to the battlefront.
Some officials in touch with the prog
ess Of the draft have recently predict
ID that every available man in class 1
would be called to the colors during the
summer. Roughly this means more than
100000. in addition to more than l.
5000 who. at the present rate of
'rosTeas eithar will - n Efaao4 -