Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-21

| I/C PEAk1NG in the name Of tbs
American Army and in the
name of the American people. >
- 1 told the supreme war coun-
Gil during the second day OF
its session at Abbeville May 2, 1918, u
want you to realize that we are ready
to bear as large part as possible OF
the burden of war. We all want the
same thing, but our means of attaining
it is different from yours.
America declared war independently
OF the allies and she must face it as
soon as possible with a powerful Army
There is one capital point to which ]
! wish to call your attention: That is
the importance to the morale of oul
soldiers of fighting under our own flag
America is already anxious to know
where her Army is. The Germans have
once more started a strong campaign
of propaganda in the United States, the
purpose of which is to insinuate that
the allies have so little confidence in
the American troops that they are
obliged to distribute them among their
own divisions.
THE American soldier is as proud as
any other, and the time will soon come
when our troops, as well as our Govern
ment, will ask to fight as an autono-
nous Army under the American high
command.
Lloyd Georges Program.
at understand that in Prime Minis
ter Lloyd Georges proposal we shall
have to examine the situation again in
June before deciding for July.
THAT is all that I can agree to at
present to show my desire for solidarity
with the cause of the allies"
Lloyd George had previously taken
up a revised program submitted by my
self, and after some discussion he pro-
posed that:
America give us 10000 infantrymen
and machine gunnerS in May-the same
number in June, with supplement OF
SO, 900 infantrymen and machine gun
ners If we 'scrape together the tonnage
to transport them"
He further proposed that the situa-
ton be examined again in June before
deciding whether there was reason to
extend to July the program decided
upon for May and June. He then called
on the council to accept this plan.
Inasmuch as the proposal submitted
by Lloyd George contemplated the
shipment of the numbers mentioned In
British tonnage, leaving American
shipping entirely free for us to use as
we should decide, an agreement was
soon reached, substantially as set forth
in the following cablegram to the Secre-
tary of War:
Following agreement adopted by Su-
preme War Council May 2 at Abbevllle.
Will cable mere in detail later. IL Is
the opinion of the Supreme War Coun-
Gil that, to carry the war to success
full conclusion, an American Army
should be formed as early as possible
under it's own commander and under It's
own flag. (Then it was thought the
war would run to 1879
Preference Given Infantry.
"In order to meet the present emer-
gency 1t is agreed that American troops
should be brought to France as rapidly
as allied transportation facilities Will
permit. and that as far as consistent
with the niece ssity Of building up an
American Army preference be given to
infantry and machine gun units for
training and service with French ana
British armies; with the understanding
that such infantry and machine gun
units are to be withdrawn and united
with their own artillery and auxiliary
troops into divisions and corps at the
discretion of the American commander
in chief after consultation with the
commander in chief of the allied armies
in France.
1T is also agreed that during May
preference should be given to the trans
portation of infantry and machine gun
units of six divisions, and that any ex-
cess tonnage shall be devoted to bring
ing over such troops as may be deter
mined by the American commander in
chief.
1T is further agreed that this pro-
gram shall be continued during June
upon condition that the British gov
eminent shall furnish transportation
for minimum of 10000 men in May
and 10000 men in June, with the I'M
Outstanding that the first six divisions
of infantry shall go to the British for
training and service, and that troops
sent over in June shall be allocated for
training and service as the American
commander in chief may determine.
1T is also further agreed that II the
British government shall transport an
excess of 100000 men in June. such ex-
cess shall be infantry and machine gun
units, and that early in June there shall
be new review of the situation to de-
termine further action"
Military Situation Threatening.
AS stated in a cable from the Secre-
tary Of War. received MAY IL. this
=
fantry and machine gun units than
recommended by the Supreme War
Council 1t was certainly much more
favorable TO the ultimate formation of
an American Army than we had reason
to expect in view Of the recommended
tons contained in note ID Of the mill
tary representatives, which, as we have
seen. had been practically approved by
the President. In the excitement over
our agreement with the British the full
purport Of this commitment was not
emphasized by the allies during the dis
cussion.
Nobody more than realized that the
military situation was most threaten
ing Following the powerful enemy
offensive Of March 81. had come that
of April g. and another attack had
been made by the enemy toward
Amiens. while in the fighting farther
east -Bretonneux had been taken
and retaken several times. AS the
British casualties since March 81 had
been some 100000, and those of the
French 10000 to 10000. both allies
were prompted to make this strong
appeal for Americans to reconstitute
their units not only physically but
morally.
From the practical standpoint Of in
creasing the efficiency OF the allied
armies are argument was against
the unqualified acceptance OF allied
proposals. The nationals of no country
would willingly serve under foreign
flag in preference to their own. The
national sentiment involved was such
that we could not possibly afford to
enter into such an agreement, except
in an extreme crisis.
Moreover. the added strength Of a
distinct army would be much greater
than to have its personnel parceled
out here and there. Another serious
objection to our men serving in the