Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1920-01-02

France up to six divisions and that
any shipping 10 excess Of that re-
quired for these troops be utilized to
transport troops necessary TO make
these divisions complete.
THAT the American personnel Of
the artillery Of these divisions aud
such corps troops as may be required
10 build up American corps Organiza-
lions follow Immediately thereafter,
and that American artillery personnel
be trained with French material and
join lis proper divisions as soon as
thoroughly trained.
THAI it is contemplated American
divisions and corps when trained and
organized shall be utilized under the
American commander in chief n an
American group
That the American commander In
chief shall allot American troops TO
the French or British for trimming or
train them with American units at his
discretion with the understanding
chat troops already transported by
British shipping or Included in the six
decisions mentioned are to be trained
with the British army"
AT meeting Of the supreme war
council held al Abbeville May 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.
at is the opinion Of the supreme
war council that, in order to carry the
war to a successful conclusion, an
American army should be formed as
early as possible under its 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 IA
cilities will permit, and that, as far az
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-
Bac against the French instead OF
expected. and it came as a complete
surprise. The initial Aisne attack.
covering a front of thirty-hye kilo-
meters. met with remarkable success,
as the German armies advanced no less
than fifty kilometers in four days. On
reaching the Marine that river was
used as n 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 it was estimated that 100000
people left during the spring of 1913.
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-
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 ). as follows:
THE following recommendation are
made on the assumption that at least
100000 men can be transported in each
of the months of June and July by the
of combined British and
American tonnage. We recommend:
-"For the month of June: Absolute
priority shall be given to the trans
portation of 10000 combatant troops,
%. 400 men for the service of the rail-
ways. the balance to be troops of
categories to be determined by the
commander-in-ehief, American expedi-
donary 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
American expedi-
tionary forces.
1--WE recognize that the combatant
troops to be dispatched in July may
have to include troops which have had
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.
"MILNER.
"PERSHING."
Raised Delicate Questions.
The various proposals during these