The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-07-23
CHAPTER xXXNlII

The question of the shipment OF
American troops, and particularly
their allotment to the allied armies,
had assumed very great Importance
in the minds of the allied leaders.
Accordingly session of the SUI
preme war council was called at Abb
beville May l, 1918, and Premier Gle
menceau opened the meeting by re-
ferring forthwith to the previous rec
ommendation of the councils military
representatives as to the disposition
of American troops.
1.-THE military representatives" he
began, expressed the opinion in
their joint note No. IS that only in
fantry and machine-gun units should
be sent to France for the present.
Since then the agreement between
Lord Miner and General Pershing,
signed at London April "a, 1918. has
interviewed. This agreement makes
change.
1T had been understood at Yer
sailles that America would send
10000 men per month, which the
French and English armies would
share equally. Under the Miner
Pershing agreement it appears none
20 to France. The French have not
been consulted. We might suppose
that in compensation the American
troops arriving in June would be given
to France. But it now appears they
are also to join the British. I wish to
protest that this is not satisfactory.
II am not discussing the figure Of
10000 men; am prepared to accept
that these men 60 to the British In
May. am asking to receive the same
number of troops in June. There are
close to 100000 Americans in France
at present, but only five divisions, or
about 125,000 men, can be considered
as combatants. That is not a salts
factory proportion"
Miner Defends Agreement.
Lord Miner arose, much incensed
at NJ. Clemenceau's statement, which
he considered quite unjust.
IN. Clemenceau has minated" he
asserted, "that there was something
mysterious about the London agree
ment. I believe that an explanation
is necessary. He appears to believe
that the agreement we signed is
reversal Of the supreme war councils
decision. I know only of joint note
embodying the recommendations of
the military representatives, but 1t is
of no value without the approval Of
the governments.
Besides, NJ. Clemenceau seems to
be under the impression that half Of
the American troops were to go to
France and the other half to Eng
land. do not recollect any such de-
cision. All that General Pershing and
I have urged is that infantry and
machine gunners should be sent to
France. We had no intention Of de-
priving France Of any American
troops. do not know that anything
has been said regarding their allot-
ment on arrival In France. We sim
ply wanted to hasten their coming"
Pershing upholds Independence.
"In making the agreement with
Lord Miner" int .posed. II had in
mind bringing troops as rapidly as
possible to meet the existing situa-
ton. Lord Miner is quite correct
in stating that there was no agree
ment as to the ALLEGATION Of Ameri-
con troops either to the British or
French armies. There is no agree
ment between my government and
anybody else that single American
soldier shall be sent to either the
British or French.
"There is in existence an agreement
between Mr.. Lloyd George and my
self that six divisions should be
brought to France. NJ. Clemenceau
will remember that spoke to him
about going to London to arrange for
the shipment of American troops to
France and that he approved because
II would eXDedite their arrival i also