The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1918-04-05
ALL TROOPS IN CAMPS
SOON TO co
President Has Issued Orders Which,
VIII Place Practically All Men
in Cant0nmentS in France or
En- Route There by Aug
uSt |.

Wilson today tentatively accepted 2"
invitation to make a war speech at
Baltimore next Saturday on the oc-
casion of the opening Of the third
Liberty Loan drive.
Secretary of War Baker will return
to Washington from France immedl-
ately after making hurried trip =
Italy, to bring 6rst-hand information
concerning necessities imperative to
the defeat of Germany.
Major General Tasker H. Bliss. rep
resensative of the United States on
the interallied war council, and MAJ
or General Peshing, commanding the
evolutionary forces. both cabled that
the situation on the western front ls
steadily improving.
Executive orders were issued which
will place in France or en- route By
August 1 all troops now in the can
tonments of this country. Less tnan
IS per cent will be retained for train
ing purposes. To facilitate the over
seas movement, President Wilson
dressed for an Immediate statement
from the French and British author
tiles as to what percentage of sup
plies can be eliminated to make avail
able additional shipping.
President Gives Immediate Attention
This summarizes the war news as
centered at the White House. Tna
spirit with which orders were given
and executed indicated steadily in
creasing encouragement. The calling
list was again cut TO the lowest pos
sible minimum consistent with the
transaction of official business. All
important happenings on the battle
front get the immediate attention oE
the president. The plans for greater
participation are accelerated by pass
inc through his hands.
Secretary Bakers message indicated
he thought it wise to return at once
in order to give the war department
and supply bureaus the benefit of the
information he has gathered. The
presideut is understood to have re-
piled with an urgent request that the
contemplated trip to Italy be not
abandoned. -.
Italy is regarded by the president
az one of the great sufferers Of the
war. Tt is said to be his desire fhas
no incident occur which the I'sf'7n
people could consider lack OF cour-
tesy. From Italy Mr., Ra'sa4 is ev-
pected to go back to Psr's 81 fins!
conference with Major General Bliss
and members of the war council :
It is not permissible to give the an-
rroximate date the Secretary Of War
Is expected hack IN Washington.
French Retake Ground.
The report from General Bliss to-
dav was the most encouraging Of all.
His message said a,1l the ground TAX
en- by the Germans in the battle start
ed on Saturday south of the Somme
ovor front of siytv kilometers, has
been retaken by the French. The
enemy losses in men were stated tc
be enormous.
LeMonchel and Assainville were
mentioned as having been retaken By
the French in counter attao7l~ against
the Teutonic forces Elsewhere south
Of the Somme the line was said to re
main unchanged.
General Pershine's rnnort. which
carried practically the same inform?
alton. concluded with this sentence
"After "a dav of heavy fighting all
along the line the situation continues
TO improve"
Pershing or Bliss had not either
made detailed report of the part the
American forces are taking in the
lighting the rnn'ber of United
States soldiers arrived at the battle
fronts. AS soon as this information
is received instructions have been re-
ceived at the war department to make
1t public.
No More FurlOughS.
The presidents plan to get the
greatest possible number of troops to
France in the least possible time is
declared to be working smoothly. No
more furloughs or leaves of absence
are to be granted save in extracr-
dinary cases. for an indefinite period,
A group OF military units repre-
senting several hundred thousand