The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1918-05-16
OVER 100000
NOW IN FRANCE
Secretary Baker Makes First
Official Announcement.
WILL SOON BE OVER MILLION
Secretary Baker Is Elated over What
Has Been Accomplished All
Are Fully Equipped For
Service.

Washington.-Mor than half mil
lion American soldiers have been sent
TO France. Secretary Baker author.
lied the statement that his forecast
to Congress in January that 100000
troops would be dispatched TO France
early In the present year now had
been surpassed.
Mr. Baker dictated the following
statement:
"In January told the Senate com.
mittee that there was strong likeli.
hood that early in tho present year
100000 American troops would be dis
patched 10 France. | cannot either
now or perhaps later discuss the num-
Der of American troops in France;
but | am glad to be able TO say that
the forecast | made has been sur.
passed"
AS a result OF a personal investi.
cation of machinegun production
during the past few days the Secre-
tary announced that there is no pres.
ent shortage of light or heavy types
of these weapons either in France or
America, and no shortage is in pros.
pect.
Mr.. Baker said there had been no
question brought up as to the sup
plies Of light type Browning guns,
which were coming forward in guam
titles. He would not say whether
shipment of these guns to France had
been started. AS to the heavy Brown.
ing, he said:
Early manufacturers estimates as
to the production of the heavy type
perhaps were more optimistic than
was justified The estimate of the
Ordnance Department in January has
been met and is being met. Some Of
these heavy guns have been produced
and there is every indication OF forth
coming production increasing and in
substantial numbers.
The Secretary chose his words about
the troops in France with utmost care.
He would not amplify the statement
in any way and specifically asked that
the press refrain from speculation as
to what precise figures his guarded
remarks covered or as to what possi'
bilities OF early further increase in the
force on the other side there might
be.
There has been repeated official an.
nouncements, however, that the gov
ernment is bending every energy to
rushing men across to back up the
Allied lines in France and officers d.
rectly in charge of the transportation
have expressed satisfaction with the
progress being made. There is no
doubt that the present force OF Amer.
lean troops there represents only
small part OF the total strength that
will be available for employment by
General Foch before the summer fight.
ing ends
There are indications, too, that the
War Department has adhered strictly
to its policy Of equipping fully before
his departure every man sent across.
That is the first consideration in
checking off supplies Of clothing and
arms. Mr. Bakers recent study of
the whole ordnance program was
founded on his desire to see just what
the situation was in this slowest ele.
ment Of the war preparations,
His conclusions as to machine guns
follow on the heels Of pessimistic
statements by members Of Congress
in this regard. In the discussion Of
the production Of Browning machine
guns contracts for other types, both
here and abroad, apparently have
been lost sight Of. These contracts
preceded the placing of orders for
the Brownings and that supply was
designed to meet the emergency until
the new gun was available in quanti-
ties.
The present practice Of brigoding
American units with French and
British divisions, 1t is pointed out,
makes the artillery question less
pressing as an immediate independent
supply.