Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1920-03-05

any shipping In excess of that re-
Qulred 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
to build up American corps organiza-
tons follow Immediately thereafter,
and that American artillery personnel
be trained with French material and
join its proper divisions as soon as
thoroughly trained.
THAT II Is contemplated American
divisions and corps when 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 be trained
with the British army"
AT meeting Of the supreme war
council held at Abbevlle May | 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.
at Is the opinion of the supreme
war council that, in order to carry the
war to a successful conclusion. an
American arp should be formed as
early as poS> ole under it's own flag.
In order to meet the present emer-
gency It is agreed that American
troops should be brought to France
as rapidly as allied transportation fa-
cilities 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-au-
BAG against the French instead OF
against the British. as was generally
expected, and il came as complete
surprise. The initial Aisne attack,
covering front of thrty-tive kilo-
meters, met with remarkable success.
as the German armies advanced no less
than fifty kilometers in four days On
req ching the Marine that river was
used as a defensive flank and the Ger
man advance was directly towards
Paris. During the first days of June
something akin to a panic seized the
city, and 1t was estimated that l 900. 900
people left during the spring of 1918.
Such extensive priority had already
been given TO the transport of Amer.
can infantry and machine gunners that
the troops of those categoreS which
had received even partial training in
the United States were practically ex-
hauSted. Moreover the strain on our
services of supply made it 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:
The following recommendations are
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
portatlon of 10000 combatant troops.
20, 400 men for the service of the rail
ways, the balance to be troops of
categorles to be determined by the
commander-in-Chie American expedi-
tionary forces
For the month of July: Absolute
priority for the shipment of 100000
combatant troops, the balance to con-
sist of troops to be designated by the
commander-in-chief American expedi-
tlOnary 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 a temporary and exceptional
departure by the United States from
sound principles of training, especially
as a similar course is being followed
by France and Great Britain.
"Signed FOCH.
MINER.
"PERSHING."
raised Delicate Questions.
The various proposals during these
conferences regarding priority of ship