Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-14
WASHINGTON MYSTIFIED
BY OTTAWA REPORT

by Associated Press.l
WASHINGTON. May 13.-American
officers were inclined 70 characterize
reports from London via Ottawa that
American troops would not be used
until complete and powerful Amcri-
can army had been developed in France
as an echo of the political controversy
precipitatcd in England by the incl
dent of General Maurice. They could
see no other explanation. since the
statement attributed TO the war COM
nittee" OF the British War Cabinet
was promptly repudiated by LORD
Reading, British ambassador here. and
later declared by Secretary Baker ir
formal statement to be at absolute
variance with the facts as known here
Lord Readings statement said he
was confident no such announcements
had been issued with the knowledge
Of Premier Lloyd George, adding thar
the views of the British government
which he was transmitting were cX-
actly opposite. Secretary Baker said
American troops were now being used
in battle and would continue to be
used as the supreme commander, Cen
cral Foch. deemed best.
In the opinion OF many officers here
the time is fast approaching when
American officers from the other side
viii be relied upon for the training o..
the American army. rather than vet
Grams OF trench warfar: from the
French and British services AIen who
are most insistent on this point Of view
believe trench warfare has produced
nothing rs yet which justifies the aban-
donment of all other theories OF milf
tary operations for high specialization
In trench action.
II America is TO contribute largely
TO the ultimate defeat of the German
army, they hold. she must contribute a
something more than man power-she
must contribute to the working out of
4 new theory of operations which Will
bring victory as trench warfare has
not done. For that reason. they feel
II would be mistake 10 lose the dash
.'no initiative of the American army
IN entertaining for trench action
SECRETARY BAKER ADDS
HIS FORMAL DENIAL,
Secretary Baker to-day added his
formal denial TO that OF Lord Read
ing regarding statements as to the dis,
position of American forces in France.
lie said the facts were directly opposed
TO the statements. and that American
troops were being used actively in bat
tie. and lin such ways as meet with
the approval of Generals Toch and
Pershing."
The secretary dictated the follow ny
statements:
il The statement made in the morning
papers. purporting 10 come from Ottawa.
seems TO say that American forces in
France will not be used actively for
the present. but VIII be conserved until
they constitute larger and inde-
pendent army.
The facts are exactly otherwise
American troops IN France are being
used actively in battle and in the
trenches. and while all OF the plans of
the War Department look to the de-
vc!opment OF the American army as
such and to the creation of a distinctly
American army. yet the various elc-
ments of II now in France are being
used freely in the general cause, and
In such ways as are deemed most effec-
tive in accordance witN General Perish
ings action in placing all of our forces
at the disposal of the British and
French commanders and of the supreme
commander.
Mr.. Baker added that he had no in
Continued OH Second Page.)