FULL SPEED FOR FRANCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 76, 3 April 1918, Page 5

FULL SPEED FOR FRANCE

SHORTAGE OF TRANSPORTS

NEW YORE:, March 30.

'American troops- ape being sent to Francs tp the fullest capacity of the transports- It is imposible to speed up the transportation of troops unless more ships are available. Conferences are 'being held with the object of speeding up the despatch of troops. Several divisions are ready awaiting transports. x The Government will increase the reinforcements by curtailing grain shipments and■. eliminating all non-essential > freight. The Press Bureau states that as the result of communications between President Wilson and Mr Lloyd George, and consultations- with American representatives in London, at Versailles and on the West front, important decisions have been reached whereby, a large force trained in America can be b-rought to the assistance of the Allies. America is not only sending": large numbers of "battalions to during the coming critical months,'but has agreed that such regiments as cannot bo used in purely American divisions shal! be brigaded wit/h the English and French while necessity lasts. _ Thus trcops not yet trained sufficiently to light as divisions wili form part of seasoned divisons until they have computet" their training and General Pershing wishes to withdraw them to build up the American Army. Throughout the discussions President Wilson has sho.vn the greatest anxiety to do his utmost to assist th e Allies. Although the arrangement is of vital importance, it wi:l not diminish' the need for further raising of troops '.a Britain as has been a'reauy ed

OUTDO OK IN FRANCE. NEW YORK, March 30. A high military authority in Paris, interviewed by an American pressman, stated that the cardinal factor of the situation wa s that the en envy could not afford delav. "I expect one last desperate effort, and then the collapse of the offensive," he continued. " "The Germans ane fast using up their reserves, and will be' unable to resist General >Eoch's counter-offensive." General Pershing cabled that the situation on the West front has improved.

TROOPS TURNITO OVER TO THE ALLIES.

(A»*tn»H*« a»d N.Z ©*M« A«M«4»t»o» NEW v f >RK March 31

Correspondents at American Headquarters report • that the United States troops have been turned over to the Allies. It is expected that the Americans will soon "reinforce Sir X>oug]as Haigs' troos. There is great activity in th e whole American zone, a long line of motor trucks and large forces; of Americans moving -westwards. Conseauently upon the announcement that Bulgarian troops are engaged on the West front, it is expected that America will shortly declare war on Bulgaria. There is the greatest enthusiasm over the news that the Americans are ready to join the British and French m checking the .German offensive. The New York World says America is a real ally at last. The War 'Department's official summary says American troops are releasr ins? "French veterans for emergency service on the West front. Such American troops as are sufficiently trained will co-operate uith the (French and British.

EFFECT OF AMERICA'S COOPERATION. (Rec. April 3, 2.20 p.m.) NEW YORK. April 2. Britain has sent the following message to the United States: "Owing to the President's c6-operation we will receive strong reinforcements, which will be so necessary in the next few months."