Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 May 1917 — TROOP DIVISION TO FIGHT ABROAD [ARTICLE]

TROOP DIVISION TO FIGHT ABROAD

General Pershing Io Command First Relief Expedition ABOUT 25,000 MEN TO SAIL Will Probably Be Fighting Under the Stars and Stri|>es .in France in the Near Future. Washington, D. C., May 19. — President Wilson last night ordered a division of 25,000 regular troops commanded by Major General John J. Pershing be sent to France at the earliest practicable date. This is the answer of America to France’s plea that the Stars and Stripes be carried to the fighting front without delay to hearten the soldiers battling there with concrete evidence that a powerful ally has come to their support against German aggression. Even before the army bill was signed the war department announced that the full strength of the national guard would be drafted Into the United States army beginning July 15 and concluding August 5. Orders to bring the regiments to full war strength immediately accompanied the notification sent to all governors. A minimum of 329,000 fighting men will be brought to the colors under these orders, supplementing the 293,000 regulars who will be under arms by June 15. It Is from these forces that the first armies to join General Pershing at the front will be drawn, to be followed within a few months by recurring waves from the selective draft armies, the first 500,000 of whom will be mobilized September 1.