New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-16

equally between London and Pans
was the reply. "The morale OF the
people in England and France is won
derful. Nobody talks peace. The only
question is how to assist in lighting
the war to a finish
The talk then turned 20 the Amer
lean troops IN France, TO whom Coione'
House paid personal visits lasting Tor
several days. The colonel, who talks
in quiet, conservative, conversauonaI
fonc on the rare occasions that he con-
sents TO make known his thoughts,
showed his nearest approach to actual
enthusiasm when he talked Of the
American forces in the trenches.
"They are in fine condition" he said.
..Thev'ro in the best Of health; they
are Just fire. General Pershng Is
doing a wonderful work. lie is doing
il under difficult conditions, and he IS
accomplishing more than anybody over
here knows. / can't tell you just why
] seq that. but % is true.
America viii BE Ready
"Wheo the time comes for the big
Crivc. the American troops Will be pre-
pared; you may be sure Of that
In reply TO a question as TO the feel
ing Of the Allies toward the American
troops and the American people, Colo
mel House permitted one Of his rare
smiles to travel across his face.
"The influence Of the United States
In the war is almost paramount he
said. at is almost unlimited
He then referred briefly to the work
Of the American navy, about which
there has been much more secrecy than
concerning the movements OF the No
tons land forces.
81 came in close contact with Ad-
miral Sims. who is IN charge OF the
naval forces. and / want TO say that ne
IS a fine specimen Of man. who mas
made an excellent impression upon the
people over there"
Colonel House smiled. and indicated
that he had much information upon
which to base this statement, but hnal-
IN decided to keep 10 10 himself. he
appeared optimistic when questioned
ohonr the submarine situation, but re-
used 10 discuss it further than to say
mat he had failed 70 see any on his
return trip, although the trip was maze
in ideal submarine wcather-clear SKIES
both by day and by night, n
az was very comfortable weather
Int very favorable 10 the 'sdps' ne
Colonel House told little Of the oper-
ations of the Supreme War Council,
~ which he sat al the request of Pres
don't Wilson. The council was maze
nm Of the Prime Ministers of England,
Franco and Italy. Colonel House as the
commemorative Of the United states
and a military expert actirg in an ad-
visorv caDacitv 70 each member OF the
council. General Tasker II. Bliss, CHIEF
of staff, acted as military expert Tor
The United States in these meetings
War Council Harmonious
The colonel did say, however, that
there had been complete agreement
among the members OF the Supreme
War Council. and that its sessions, too,
had been highly satisfactory and or
iuestimable value TO the cause Of the
Allies. lie did not know whether ne
would continue q member Of that body
which is a permanent one.
That is q matter for the President
20 decide" he said.
lie spoke highly Of the expert ser
vices rendered by the other members
of the American mission. lie empha-
SID his opinion Of their value by dic-
tatipg q one paragraph statement 20
his stenographer, which read as fol-
lows:
Il wish to record my approval OF
the individual work Of the members Of
this mission. Whatever success It has.
had as a force for good is due TO them.
in an my experience with men ! have
never known better or more intelligent
team work. There was no confusion of
purpose, no stacking in the pursuit Of
the objects 10 be obtained. And there
have been absolutely no personal differ
cnces or friction 20 rctard them in
their work. They have been amenable
80 both advice and suggestion, and