The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1920-01-10

seem 10 warrant IT,
"A study OF transportation facill-
ties shows sufficient American ton
mage 10 bring over this number OF
troops. but 10 do so there must he a
reduction in the tonnage allotted 10
other than army needs. The use OF
shipping for commercial purposes
must be curtailed AS much as possl-
bile. The allies are very weak and
we must come 10 their relief this year.
1918. The year after may be too late.
II is very doubtful II they can hold
on until 1919 unless we give them a
lot OF support this year. II is there
fore strongly recommended that n
complete REIMBURSEMENT OF transporta-
tios he made and that the needs OF
the war department ss set forth above
be regarded as Immediate"
In the latter part OF January joint
note No. II. presented by the military
representatives with the supreme war
council. was approved by the council.
This note concluded that France would
he safe during 1918 only under certain
conditions. namely:
THAT the strength Of the British
and French troops In France are con-
tinuously kept up to their present
total strength and that they receive
the expected re-enforcements OF not
less than two American divisions per
month"
The first German offensive OF 1913.
beginning March 81. overran all re-
sistsnce during the initial period Of
the attack. The offensive made such
inroads upon French and British re-
serves that defeat stared them In the
face unless the new American troops
should prove more Immediately
available than even the most optimis-
tic had dared 10 hope. On March
81 the military representatives with
the supreme war council prepared
their joint note No. 1s. This note re-
! pested the previously quoted state
ment from joint note No. IL, and
continued
"The battle which Is developing Mt
the present moment In France, and
which can extend to the other thea
ters OF operations. may very quickly
place the allied armies I'm a serious
situation from the point Of view Of ef-
fectlves.
THE military representatives are Of
the opinion that II Is highly desirable
that the American government should
assist the allied armies as soon as
possible by permitting In principle the
temporary service of American units
in allied army corps and divisions.
Such re-enforcements must. however.
he obtained from other units than
those American divisions which are
now operating with the French. and
the units so temporarily employed must
eventually he returned to the Ameri-
can army.
The military representatives are ar
the opinion that from the present time,
In execution of the foregoing. and I'M
Ill otherwise directed by the supreme
war council. only American infantry
and machine gun, units. organized ms
that government may decide, he
brought Ia France. and that all agree
ments or conventions hitherto made in
conflict with this decision he modified
accordingly"
Planned an American Army.
The secretary of war. who was In
France at the time; General Bliss the
American military representative with
the supreme war council. and | at once
conferred on the terms OF this note.
with the result that the secretary rec
commended To The president that joint
note No. - lac approved In the follow
INK sense:
'''rhe purpose Of the American gov
eminent ~ 10 render the fullest CO.
operation and aid, and therefore the
recommendation OF the military rep
resentatiycs with regard to the pref
ercntial transportation OF American
Infantry and machine gun units in
the present emergency h. approved.
Such units when transported. Will be
under the direction or the command
er in chief OF the American expedl-
tIonary f,~ces. and will be assigned
for training and use by him IN his dis
erection. lie Will use these aud all
other military forces ~ the United
States under his command In such
manner as 10 render the greatest milf
tary assistance, Keeping In mind nj
ways the determination OF this gov
eminent 10 have its varied military
forces collected as speedily as their
training and the military situation per
mits. into an independent American
army acting In concert with the
armies OF Great Britain and France,
and all arrangements made by him
for their temporary training and
service will be made with that end In
view"
British Losses Heavy.
r The battle line In the vicinity OF
Amiens had hardly stabilized when.
on April .. the Germans made mlOth-'
or successful attack against the Brit
lsh lines on front of some 40 kilo-