Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1920-01-08

FRANCE up to SIX divisions and that
any shipping In excess Of that re-
CURED for these troops be utilized to
transport troops necessary to make
these divisions complete.
"That the American personne, Of
the artillery of these divisions and
such corps troops az may he required
to build up American corps organiza-
tons follow Immediately thereafter,
ana that American artillery personnel
he trained with French material and
join Its proper divisions as soon as
thoroughly trained.
THAT II Is contemplated American
divisions AMI corps when trained and
organized shall he utilized under the
American commander In chief in an
American group.
That the American commander in
chief shall ailot Ameri nm troops TO
the French or British for training or
train them with American units at his
discretion. with the understanding
/ that troops already transported by
British shipping or Included In the six
divisions mentioned are to be trained
with the British army"
AT meeting of the supreme war
council held at Abbeville May I and
2. an urgent appeal came from both
French and italian representatives for
american requirements or units TO
serve with their armies. The follow
Ing agreement was reached, commit
ting the council to an independent
American army and providing for the
Immediate shipment Of certain troops:
/! Under American Flag.
ut Is the opinion of the supreme
war council That. In order to carry the
war TO a successful conclusion. an
American army should he formed as
early as possible under it's own flag.
In order to meet the present emer-
gency 1t is agreed that American
troops should be brought to France
AS rapidly as allied transportation ia.
ci,ities will permit. and that. as far as
consistent with the necessity of build
ing up an American army. preference
Will be given to infantry and machine
gun units for training and service
with French and British armies"
The next offensive of the enemy was
made between the Disc and Berry
Bac against the French Instead of
against the British. as was generally
expected. and it came as a complete
surprise. The initial Aisne attack,
covering front Of thirty-iive kilo-
meters met with remarkable success,
as the German armies advanced no less
than fifty kilomcters In four days. On
reaching the Marine that river Was
used us defensive flank and the Ger
man advance was directly towards
Paris. During the first days Of June
something akin to Il panic seized the
city, and 1t was estimated that |, 900. UUJ
people left during the spring Of 1918.
Such extensive priority had already
been given TO the transport of Ameri-
can infantry and machine gunners that
the troops of those categories which
had received even partial training in
the United States were practically ex-
haustet. Moreover, the strain OH our
services of supply made ii essential
that early relief be afforded by increas-
Ing its personnel. The final agreement
was cabled to the war department on
June 5, as follows:
~ 1.-THE following recommendations are
made on the assumption that at least
25O.OOO men can be transported IN ench
of the months of June and July by the
employment of combined British and
American tonnage. We recommends:
For the month of June: Absolute
priority shall be given to the trans
portatiOn Of 10000 combatnnr troops,
25.4OO men for the service of the rail-
ways. the balance to be troops OF
! categOries to lie determined by the
cOmmander-in-chief. American expetii.
tionary forces.
"For the month OF July: Absolute
priority for the shipment Of 10000
cOmhatant troops. the balance tn con
sist Of troops to lie designated by the
commander n.chief. American expe,ll
tiOnary forces.
"We recognize that the cOmbntnrt
troops to be dispatched In July ma,
have to include troops which have l,at
insufficient training bul we consider
the present emergency is such MS Ii
justify temporary and exception
departure by the United States from
sound principles OF training. especially
as IL similar course ia being followed
by France and Great Britain.
"Signed FOt.H.
''MII.NER
"PERSH ING"
Raised Delicate Questions.
The various proposals iur,ng thest
conferences regarding priority OF ship
, ment. often very insstent. raised lnrs
! tons that were moi only most Difficult
, but most delicate. On the one mn,l
there was a critical situation whicl
must be met by Immediate action
Z while. on the other hand any prorit.
. accorded O particular arm neceSsartl
i postponed the formation OF diSlitc
: tive American Fighting force and III
J. means to supply 1t. Such II force Wa
s in my opinion. absolutely necessary 4
I win the war. few of the allied reI
J. reSeulativeS necanie convinced thai III
j. American services Of supply should II,
d be neglected hut should he lcvelopr
4 In the common interest The success
Of our divisions during May and Jun
e demonstrated fully that II was M
II necessary to draft Americans unde