Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-01-23


any shipping in excess OF that re-
| quirel for these troops be utilized to
| transport troops necessary to make
these divisions complete.
THAT the American personnel Of
| the artillery Of these divisions and
| such corps troops as may be required
I" build mp American corps Organlza-
iinnS follow immediately thereafter
ami that American artillery personnel
tie trained with French mnicriai and
join ITS proper divisions Us soon al
thoroughly trimmed
That II is contemplated American
| divisions and corps whcu trained and
organized shall be utilized under the
American commander In chief in an
| American group.
That the American commander in
| chief shall allOt American 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 hc trained
with the British army"
AT meeting OF the supreme war
council held at Ahbeville May I and
:. 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.
1T Is the opinion OF the supreme
war council that. in order to carry the
war to successful conclusion. an
American army should be formed AZ
early as possible under its own flag.
In order to meet tht present esncr-
gency 1t is agreed that American
troops should be brought to France
as rapidly as allied transportation ia
cilities will permit. and that. as far as
consistent with the necessity of build
ing up an American army. preference
VIII be given to infantry and machine
gun unlts for training and service
! with French and British armies"
The next offensive Of the enemy was
made between the Disc and Berry-uu-
! Bac against the French instead Of
against the British, rs was generally
| expected. and it came as a comnlete
! surprise. The initial AiSnc attack.
covering front of thir,y-fve kilo-
! meters. met with remarkable success.
as the German armies advanced 10 less
| than fifty SilometcrS in four days. On
re;iciiihS The Marine that river was
used rs defensive flank and the Ger
| man advance was directly towards
| Paris. During the first DAYS OF June
something akin to Il panic seized tho
! city. and 1t was estimated that 900 900
people left during the spring of 1918.
Such extensive priority had already
! oecn gwen to the transport OF Amcri-
can infantry and machine gUHnerS that
! the troops of those catcporics which
| had received even partial training" in
the United States were practically OK
hnusteh. Moreover, the strain on our
services of supply made it essential
that early relief be afforded by increas-
ing It's personnel. The final agreement
was cablcd to the war department On
June 5, as follows: .
! The following recommendations arc
made on the assumption that at least
100000 men can be transported in each
OF the months Of June and July by the
employment Of combined British and
American tonnage. We recommend:
For the month OF June: Absolute
priority shall be given to the trans
| portationNof 10000 combatant troops.
2o.4OO men for the service Of the rail-
ways. the balance 10 be troops OF
cateSories to be- determined by tho
commandcr-in-chlef. American expedi-
t'onary forces.
"For the month of July: Absolute
priority for the shipment Of 10000
comhatant troops. the balance to con-
slst OF troops to he designated by tho
ommnndcr-in-chief, American expedI-
donary forces.
| I'VE recognize that the combatant
troops to be dispatched In July may
have to include troops which have had
insufficient training. but we consider
the present emergency is such as to
! justify temporary and exceptional
departure by the United States from
sound principles Of training. especially
rs q similar. course is being followed
by France and Great Britain.
! Signed FOCH.
"MILNER.