The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-04-30
"Last Reserves" to Crush Prus-
sian Military Machine Are to
Be Quickly Transported.
TONNAGE IS AVAILABLE
Trade Will Be Laid Aside for
Transporting Troops and NUM-.
tons to the Battle Front.

Washington, April 30.-The Unit
ed States Is to furnish tie last re-
serves" that will give the final de-
cision against the Prugsian military
machine. This important announce
ment regarding the war was made
here.
Men, men, more men!" on the wes-
tern front in the present great crisis
of the war is the cry from all quar-
ters that has been ringing in the ears
of the American people.
Ships, ships, more ships!" for the
transportation and maintenance OF
American troops abroad Is the echo
of that appeal that has stirred the
United States Shipping board from
day to day.
Two Million Men to France.
The decision has now been reached
The supreme effort is to be made to
get troops abroad. Considerations OF
commerce and trade have been iRdeti-
nitely put aside. The business of
winning the war Is the only business
that will be recognized from this
time on.
Two million men and more are go
ing to France as soon as they can
be loaded on transports and shipped
away.
1t is not a matter for shipbuilding
program or of negotiations for ton
mage. The necessary tonnage is now
under the control OF the United
States, and to the last ton 1t will be
devoted to the transportation Of troops
and war supplies unil the last re-
serves" of American troops have been
placed in fighting position on French
soil.
Congress will be asked to authorize
an army of 100000 men available
for service abroad and a reserve army
at home, both for home protection
and to make up the wastage at the
front.
Ready to Vote to Five Million.
Congress is ready to vote an army
Of Ave million men, 1t is waiting the
estimates of the war department. The
war department has been waiting up
On the shipping board. The board
promised at an important conference
early in the week, to supply all the
shipping that would be required to
take every available man to the front
in France.
Quartermaster General George W.
Goethals, in supreme command Of the
transport of troops and supplies. later
furnished the Shipping Board with an
estimate based upon the number of
men the United states was prepared
to send to the front. 1t caused the
officials of the board to pause, but
now the members have made their
answer. They will meet the shipping
requirements of the estimate of TIE
number Of troops supplied by Gen.
Goethals. 1t is the last words. 1t is
reported that the estimate Is in ex.
cess of 100000 men: in fact, that
It is close to 2,5O0,O0o men.
New Plan Is Advanced.
In its announcement tho Shipping
Board puts forward an entirely new
plan. 1t is estimated that two and
and one-half deadweight tons of ship
ping will supply soldiers needs in
France for year. Departmental es
Inmates have been as high as six OF
eight tons of shipping for each sol
der.
The Shipping Board has tonnage
enough afioat under its absolute di
rection and control to transport the
necessary number of troops to France
to make up a force of 100000
American fighters without waiting up
on new shipping, and to sustain then
after they are landed In France.
.BuYW.s-s. .--