Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 January 1918 — U. S. ARMY ON FRONT SOON [ARTICLE]

U. S. ARMY ON FRONT SOON

AMERICANS TO ESTABLISH OWN FRONT SOON IS BELIEF. Washington, Jan. 23.—While declining to comment directly upon the statement attributed to President Wilson, that there will be twice as many American soldiers abroad next June as had been originally planned, Secretary Baker said today: “The program of the department has been a constantly developing one, have been removed or over- ! come. I can not discuss number of , men in France or anticipated to be in France at any particular time, but we have made substantial progress.” . When General Pershing sent his first battalions into ,the trenches,-' with veteran French troops, formal announcement of the fact was made 1 here, coupled with the explanation that these units were rounding out their training course. A similar announcement, either directly from General Pershing or from the department is expected when American troops finally take over what sector of the battle line it is that they are destined to fight in. Recent press dispatches from General Pershing’s headquarters have shown that a considerable part of his force at any rate, was now Regarded as fully trained. The war department has had little to say on this subject. There have been no hints dropped as to when the American front would be established, but the impression is gaining strength here that the day it not far distant.