The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-24
American Troops VIII Be Bear
ing Large Share of Fighting
by Next Summer
PRESIDENT DIRECTS
WORK OF SPEEDING
FORCES TO FRANCE
Almost Twice the Number of
Troopa FIRST Counted Upon
Will Ee E<cady to Engage
Huns in Next Great Drive

Washington. Jan. 23.-~America Will
Ee bearing large share of the fight
fng in France by summer.
This In the prediction tonight in
government quarters following Presi-
dent Wilson's assurance TO members
OF the senate that the United States
VII have twice AS many lighters IN
France by June than had first been
thought possible.
Every department OF the govern
went. it Is indicated tonight, is work
ing under new pressure, inspired
from the White House.
Figures are not available as to the
precise number OF troops now abroad.
nor, the number 10 be there by the
time the spring and summer drives
ket under full swing. II they were
available they could not FOR onylols
reasons, be printed But there Is sat-
tsfaction manifest in many quarters
over what has been accomplished by
the transport service, and the pros
poets ahead
The program OF the war depart
ment," declared Secretary Of war
Baker tbs evening before gong TO
III" White House for a conference
with the president. has been d con-
n'a3t4y deVetoE X one and many dtf-
feU!tes and limitations have been re-
moved or overcome. cannot discuss
ruHhers ~ men ia France or antici-
pat ~ he h France n any pa u,u-
IA tm@ Bot we have made sub
- 'tial progress
No Signs Of Peace
Tres ient Wilson ana mis- advisers
see nothing on the horr5o'r 20 present
that gives definite promise If ra,tce.
firl the growth of liberalism in Ter
may ana Austria IS being watched
" keen Interest
The pres dent still notes voices OF
rntn every @here IN the world ----'
OIL Both sides oG tire dghtng laes--se-
r1anding that the peace when & comes
Ehse not be An autocratg peace but
democratic, permanent peace But
tst American government is letting
N none OF these indefinite signs Of hope
trtse s-era with what ia still regarded
B as The supreme task-the winning az
tile war
d In the space az com para,ively few
Il days there has been radical improts-
a raent In the tonnage s.tuation about
u which revoives all the problems OF
IL ALB United States in the war France
Il has succeeded in getting thirty Ger
a srar merchant ships which had been
u drterned i'm Brazilian parts,
"A With these she can afford to spare
a corresponding number of more
~ suitable ships for the transportation
"a OF American troops. 1t Is from
"a France that the strongest appeals
n have come for large American mil
ftary force. and there Is very lnd,cs-
III zion that her plans Will accord with
IA those of tho United States about
all s2u 900 tons represents the caaacity
N 81 the ships obtained from Brazil.
N ships For Transpor, service.
KI IL was learned authoritative1y to-
IA night that France has asked the
al American government to undertake
"a the necessary repairs to the ships from
hi Brazil and arrangements to that end
III are being made, with. Il is understood
IN reciprocal arrangements OF advan,
II tnge to the American transport ser
IA vice.
Ell HOLLAND. desperate In her need foi
III food, has braved German anger and
III after months of stuhborn refusal has
IN agreed to throw fifty of her merchant
H ships into the worlds shipping pool
IN The entry OF these ships into ths
e world trade means just that mucf
more tonnage released for the sternel
I'll business of carrying troops to France
b Germany herself lie aroused over
Eheee Developments. In quarters closs
20 the Dutch legation 1t was stated
Il today that the real reason berlin re-
n fuses to guarantee safe passage foi
n the Eieuw Amsterdam Is a belief that
n IL the ship comes to an Am erican port
N she will at once be Communicated a,
IN smother unit In the growing inter al
~ lied transport service. There lie anger
{ In thu attitude of Wi1helmstrasse to-
h ward Holland.
American Navy Ready.
II The American navy, II Is asserted
In responsible quarters. faces the pros
pect of greater submarine activit,
with confidence The trained N en- oil
the department are not given to exag
EerAted hopes. 1t is stated. however
that the methods OF comba ting TIT
undersea craft have progressed stead
ily, although there is reason to be
lieve that Germany has some surprises
TO offer.
Some bigger subrn arines. II Is known
have been built that are better abi'
to navigate far out to sea and Il
brave the Ice foes that menace trave
Ia tho North sea in the spring. Wheth
Or these can better resist the deptl
bombs that the American and British
advantage remains TO be determined
Running war Departures
Reorganization Of the war depart
ment under the personal pr ,ddings o
the president Is going ahead Within
few weeks. II Is declared. smooth
working machinery vial be running
the president today was gwen tn
nrst rechambered Enneld rife. turne,
out by the Winchester Arms company
In few months this one factor,
has turned cut more than 100000 o
these weapons. and Is making then
Wnow at the rate OF 1000 day, II
~ the president. Within a few week
(consinusd on PaEs Ton,