The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-04-03
Sammees to Be Rushed to
Front as Members Of the
United Army; Men Eager
to Fight.

"Ssas"Sso', IAPap -
While the battle in Picardy
halted today in a lull, that
may only foreshadow the
breaking Of a more terrible
storm, American troops were
Fastening to join in the fray.
Final announcement from
London that these units
would be merged with the al
lied war machines indicated
to officials that losses Of the
allies would be Immediately
made good with vigorous
young Americans, keen for
battle and for a counter Of
fensive. Officials look for
ward to aggressive warfare
without pause until the Ger
man invader shall not only
be checked, but hurled back
to ultimate military defeat.
President Wilson has pre-
dicted that this will be the
decisive year Of the war. In
the opinion of the military
officials here--British and
French--he has now taken
the decisive step toward
making his words good. The
power Of American manhood
is to be brought to bear with
out delay, not only in the
American expeditionary army
itself, but also in the fighting
ranks of the allied armies.
BY this means the effect OF
American Intervention in the
war, it was said. will be
doubled or even trebled, and
in coming days Of the battle,
which may last for months,
Americans by the hundreds
Of thousands will play their
part.
WITHHOLD NEWS OF sAMMEEs.
Probably not more than a very few
OF the highest officials know precisely
what method IL to be adopted TO rush
additional forces to France. Instead
Of an explanation Major General March,
acting chief Of staff. made public to-
day an order from Secretary Baker.
now In Europe. directing that all in
| formation hereafter regarding the ac-
tivities Of American troops overseas
bc centralized In General Pershng's
hands. The war department win not
give out any statements relating tp
tloSc forces.
Presumably under the new plan Of
| merging American units in the allied
armies and also because Of the crea-
tion of Il supreme commander in the
person Of General Foch. under whose
Idirection General Pershing az well az
General Petain and Field Marshal Haig
arc now operating, it has been found
ladvisablc to provide for a uniform
lsystem of reporting military operations.
THE complete unification of Germany's
three most powerful enemies has been
accomplished. The effect. officers be-
Iiievc will he seen shortly at the battle-
front.
To Train Men in England
Just before Secretary Baker left for
Europe he had under consideration
lnew plans for establishing American
ltraiulng centers with the British forces
las we'll as with the French. No deter
lminaliOn had been reached, he said,
Ishortiy before he left. The plan at that
ltime, however contemplated only
ltrainirg in order to hasten the arrival
lin France OF American forces in suffi-
Icient, numbers to Influence the war
ldecisiveIy. The men were tn be put
Through the British training system.
Ifrom receiving camps to front line
trenches. then to be turned over To
IGenerai Pershing for incorporation in
lhis army. This was one way suggest
ed for short cutting supply and trans
iportation problems since the British
TRAINED units would be equipped and
!supplied by the British.
The actual plan adopted is far more
lsignificant. for 1t contemplates not
ioniy training. but actual operation In
J battles of combined British. American
. \ ~