The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1931-07-31

what is the situation today? The
British army has had heavy fighting
and has suffered heavy losses. All
available drafts have been sent to
France and we shall send all who are
available in May and June. This
would be the case even if all the
Americans who arrive in Europe
during these months should be as.
signed to the British army.
"At present certain British divi.
sions have been so severely handled
that they cannot be reconstructed
General Foch will remember the mum
ber."
"Yes, ten," Foch answered.
"As we cannot again put them in
line" Mr.. Lloyd George continued,
"they must be replaced by new units.
The Germans are now fighting with
the object of using up our electives.
If they can do this without ex-
hausting their own reserves they will
sometime deal us a blow which we
shall not be able to parry.
I'm the meantime, ] suggest that
the decision for the allotment of the
American troops for June be taken
up when that month arrives. In
May, in fact, either of our two armies
may be hard pressed. That is the
one which should be REINFORCED. 1t
is not desirable now to decide how
troops arriving in June should be al
lotted."
Foch Also Cites Frances Need.
To this, Foch replied:
ut is undeniable that the British
army is now exhausted; so let it
receive Immediately reinforcement in
May. But lately the French have
had grave losses, notably at MOntdi-
der, and both during the last few
days have been fighting shoulder to
shoulder. SO American aid is now
needed almost as much for France as
for Great Britain. Above this ques-
tion of aid to the French or to the
British is aid to the allies.
1--WE are agreed that the American
army is to reinforce the British
army at once; in June we, too, shall
need infantry and machine-gun units.
So let us make the agreement for
June at once by saying: the same
shipment of infantry and machine
guns as for May. If there is tonnage
available we shall devote it, after
that, to the elements necessary for
filling up the American divisions. l
am sure that General Pershing, with
his generosity and his breadth of
view, will grant the fairness of this
view and will extend for June the
agreement decided upon for May"
Whereupon Mr.. Lloyd George gave
support to the principle, saying that
British recruits would not be avail
able until August and he understood
it was the same for France, when
both would be able to furnish their
own recruits. He then asked that the
May program be extended over June,
in which NJ. Clemenceau Joined.
Pershing Insists on Own Army.
In reply, l said:
II do not suppose that we are to
understand that the American army
is to be entirely at the disposal of
the French and British commands"
NJ. Clemenceau said that of course
this was not the intention.
Continuing, l said:
Speaking for my government and
myself, must insist upon our inten-
ton to have our own army. The
principle of unity of command must
prevail in our army. 1t must be COM
plete under its own command. l
should like to have a date fixed when
this will be realized. should like
to make it clear that all American
troops are not to be with the British,
as there are five divisions with the
French now and there will be two
more in a short time.
'As to the extension of the May
agreement to June l am not prepared
to accept it. The troops arriving in
June will not be available for the
front before the end of July or the
middle of August. So we have the
whole month of May ahead before
deciding whether an emergency is
likely to arise in June. have ex-
planned to Lord Miner and General
Foch why / do not wish to commit
the American army so long in adj
vance. If need be, shall recommend
the extension into June. / can see no
reason for it now"