Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-04-03
U. S. BodsIflu8kl
CONTINUED fropi .Pa1e ons5

! sSN :
merging American Units in the lea
armies and also because ofsthA GTl]
alton OF Il supreme commander Ne
the person of Gen. Foch, under who1
direction Gen. Pershing as well
| Gen. Petain and Field Marshal H
are now operating. it has been fq1
advisable to provide for untfofN
system Of reporting nilLtary opefasg
| tions. ,t.a |
Reviewing the meagre infornatieu.a
that has been available as to, thts J
! great things that have been accomfS
plished since the German drive be,1
gan, many of them were convincsks
! tonight that MIR. Baker had been seq
to Europe by President Wilson foet
the purpose Of bringing about JUST
the amalgamat ton for forces that has
been cffecting. In urging single com.
mand for the whole battle front in
the west. il was regarded as certain
that the American war secretary
would not have gone empty handed
to the conferences. =,
The strength Of the american army
actually in France was not suff-
cient to warrant more than a plea
for new measures to meet the Ger- J.
man onrush With the whole man
power of the United states made
Immediately available to play its part
in the ranks of the allied armies a.
we'll as in the purely American for
ces, however 1t was argued that N.Y.
Baker could speak with compelling
force. There are many who believe
that he crossed the ocean authorized
to make this great sacrifice OF PRIDE
in national achievement upon the al
tar of world democracy.
Whatever may have been the orig
inal purpose of the Secretary's mis-
sion. the complete unification Of Ger
many's powerful enemies has been
accomplished. The effect. it IS believ-
ed will be seen shortly.
Just before Secretary Baker left for
Europe he had under consideration
new plans for establishing American
training centers with the British for
ces as well as with the French.
The actual plan adopted apparent
~ is an outSrowth of this proposal
but il is far more significant for II
contcmplatcs not only training but
actual operations in battle of com
bined British american and French
American forces in addition to Gen
pershinc's own army.
OF the showing American troops now
in this country will make at the front
! British and French officers here w1o
have studied the environments and the
men probably are the best judges. They
agree that the American soldier who mas
had from 80 to 80 days instructions here
is fully ready to go to the front. pro
vided he is surrounded with veteran
troops. They have been deeply impress
ed by the intelligence and quick percep-
ton of the Americans
There are hundreds of thousands u
men now available both here and in Eu.
rope who are physically fit and mentally
ready for the battle. they say. an! 1t y
these men who are to be used. Asso-
ciated with British and French Veterans
they will pick up the finer points 'mF
these officers say, and they con0deN"
predict that the showing Of the me II
battle will more than Justify thei' use
without waiting for their full training
course to have been competed.
The German general stan has ccnt9d
Germany to find reserves for the pes
ent drive. information from the front
| shows. The physical standard has been
! almost abandoned judging by pris mtrs
taken, and the Intelligence of the new
men called TO the colors il of low or
der frequently. Compared with the re-
! cruits the American units sent in to FL
up depleted British or French brigad's
are seasoned and selected troops. ac-
cording to the British officers.