Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-03-28
Would Place 100000 Men in
France at the Earliest Pos
sible Moment.
FRENCH DISAPPOINTED.
Want Larger American Force in Eu-
rOpe-Gcn. Wood Declares German
Offensive Will Far.

statement to-day before the Senate mill
tary committee, declared that allied mill
tary opinion is unanimous that the Ger
man offensive will fail, and urged great
| increasc--to 100000 or 100000 men-in
Americas army.
1t was General Woods opinion, accord
ing to his auditors, that the Germans on
the western front now are numerically SUI
perior. both on the ground and in the air,
but that the allies are in a better position.
While confident that the German offensive
will be halted before the enemy has gain
ed any material detectives. General Wood
suggested that the offensive may change
H the warfare into a more open contest. For
that reason he recommended the train
ing of American forces for open warfare
rs we'll as for trench fighting.
FRENCH DISAPPOINTED.
The general was before the committee
for three hours and frankly discussed the
situation in Europe and at home. Stat
ing that the French are disappointed in
the size of the American expeditionary
forces and the army in training in this
country. Chairman Chamberlain said
General Wood recommended that an army
of 2,5OO,OO men be maintained in France
at the earliest possible moment and $780,
600 more in training at home Another
committee member placed General Woods
recommendations at 100000 men, one-half
in France as soon as they can be sent
there. In this connection General Wood
also recommended compulsory universal
military training.
NO PLANES FOR AvIATORS.
In urging that the American war pro-
| gram of men, ships and munitions be
speeded up and increased, General Wood
t said no American artillery or airplanes
are yet available to General Pershing's
men and that, although 1000 American
aviators are ready. thew are without
planes. Use of Liberty motors in bomb
ing instead of fighting machines also
was recommended by General Wood.
Commenting on the German offensive.
General Wood, according to members of
the committee said that, although the
initial success of the Germans probably
had been greater than was expected either
by the allies or the enemy judged by the
number of British guns reported captured,
he and allied officers believe the drive
will be short lived. There is no possibil
ity. he said, of the Germans attaining
their apparent objective. the channel
ports or threatening Paris.
Explaining the viewpoint Of allied off,
GERS with whom he recently talked and
who were expecting the present attack,
he said the Germans soon will reach
more difficult ground to traverse, while
the British and French retire to superior
prepared positions, at which the German
offensive will be stopped.
Bombardment Of Paris by long range
German artillery, General Wood is re-
ported to have told the senators, is not
a serious military factor and will have
no effect upon the morale Of the French
people.
MEN, SHIPS AND ARTILLERY.
Men, ships and artillery in the order
named, the general is said to have stated,
are the principal military needs of the
allies from America.
While declaring that General PERISH
ings men are in fine condition and well
equipped, he deplored the fact that they
are without American artillery or air
planes. Training of the American forces,
the general said, has been rapidly accom-
plished. and supplies are plentiful. In
urging the necessity for more ships Gen.
eral Wood criticised present shipping ar
rangements and said he had suggested
to the war department that fast and slow
ships be segregated in the conveys, SO
that fast ships will not be held back by
the slower vessels.
MORE ATTENTION TO ITALY.
The breakdown Of Russia has greatly
improved the morale of the German army
and the German people. General Wood
said. He added that America should pay
more attention to the Italian situation,
and suggested that Americans Of Italian
origin be sent to Italy to combat the
German propaganda. which has heen
active in that country.
CONFIRMS AIRPLANE REPORT.
Associated Press dispatches from the
American front telling of the freedom
with which German airplanes few over
the American lines owing to the lack
of American airplanes with which to
combat them. were confirmed by Cen
eral Wood. The French flyers on both
sides Of the American sector have been
protecting the American front against
enemy airmen. the general said, but at
times they are too busy elsewhere to
afford adequate protection with the re.
suit that the German airplanes have
absolute freedom. At times he said the
Germans flow SO low that the Ameri-
cans were able to fire at them with re.
volvers.
General Wood fully disclosed the
situation :. OE. the time that he left
this country UP to his return" said
Chairman Chamberlain In a statement
after the conference. He discussed
ships. man power OF both Franco and
Great Britain and the necessity for ac-
tivity in America In getting to the
front. He realizes that more ships are
absolutely essential to success, not
only for the purpose of taking over
men but in transporting supplies to the
allies.
"The general had some criticisms to
make and many IDEAS" said Senator
Chamberlain. "He felt that the American
Industrial program should be pushed and
not slackened In the least He thought.
also, that more raw materials might be
sent abroad to be manufactured In France,
and that I understand, is the policy of
| the war department to increase shipment
of raw articles for French manufacture"
The Liberty airplane, General Wood
said, according to Senator Chamberlain.
should be used mostly in bombing ma
chimes.
HE thought the foreign motors having
been tried and proven. should be used in
the combat planes" said Senator Cham
berlain
Strengthening of the army general staff
also was urged by General Wood. So many
former experts on the general staff, he
said have asked and been given work in
France that, while General Pershing has
a splendid staff, that In the war depart
msnt has been depleted and should be
|builtup for advisory purpose