Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-03-13
FASTER TROOP
SHIPMENT NEAR
Strong Allied American
Action on Battle Line
Forecast
DRAFTED MEN LAUDED

Washington. March e..
strong. Nirilc Allied American action
on the battle lines was forecast TODAY
IN the War Departments prescn; pro
gram OF needing the French request for
lastcr troop ohipnent
The thcugIN that the foundation Tor
victory can he laid In 1918 lay back
OF the plan of Fastening National Army
men over ahead Of National Guard units
ana OF calling out as rapidly as possible
units OF the 100000 second draft
While the hurrying OF National Army
units across now does not mean that
they Will have immediate action. IL il
taken to mean that the Allies are ere
ating larger reserve, SO their forces
VIII be mLre mobile.
That the Allies are now planning ag.
gressire action, instead OF waiting ON
the Germans. is the indication from pres
cnt maneuvers.
America will have - greater part I'm
this probable action than 1t was dreamed
possible year ago. And If the action
develops on other than tho ives, line
say, in Macedonia or ltaly--the fresh
American forces will be quickly avail
able for taking over sections of the
west line. releasing veteran forces to
meet the fnc on the new fronts
MI tho drafted men sent across can
not be so rapidly seasoned as to make
them ready Cor a great military action
this spring But before lnug they could
lie fed into various sectors, relieving
the seasoned forces now on guard Thss
process would form a needed man
power reserve. make tho Allied forces
more mobile and serve to meet tho
threat of German drive in any dircc.
ton.
But military authorities declare that
the basis of victory can be formed ,his
year IL the Allies do not delay ur,i,
Germany has reaped the adysntaros
OF the Russian and Rumanian crashes
In other words, Germany within a veur
and "A half apparently. will be well sus.
tained as respects food and many hadly
| needed supplies which she can drain
from the near East. But "A blow now
would find her far more vulnerable than
one delayed few months or a vcar
( The Russian situation has cast a darl,
/ tingc over the whole war problem for
the general public. but the picture T.,
not AS black as painted. according 10
military men, provided the Allies and
America strike hard this year.
Major General March. chief of staff
! said today that all the speed humanity
possible will be injected into troop ship.
/ mentS.
, The drafted Sammccs have learned
the great war game" rapidly and we'll
Proof of their adaptabiiity to modern
warfare Is shown In the decision to send
them ahead at the urgent plea of the
/ French Government. as announced yes
terday by the United Press
While their training is not aS Oar
; advanced as their officers would like tn
have il, they are IN better shape than
most of the National Guard units.
The first Of tho National Army di-
! visions will be ON its way to France
soon Cpon arrival 1t will be sent to a
training center back Of the front. where
it will receive advance instruction IN
the latest methods Of warfare. 1t will
go through virtually the same course
that has been given the regulars and
National Guard now abroad under til,
eyes Of the best French and British
| instructors.
/ Then they will have their first cX-
perience in the trenches. scattered
among seasoned troops to give them
confidence Later they will take ovcI
and defend sector, the length of
which will grow as more men are
! trained.