Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-02-19
GENERAL PLUMMER, HOME FROM
FRANCE, SAYS TACTICS MUST
BE CHANGED
AMERICANS WILL LEAD
IN DAsHiNG WARFARE
Once Samroes Go Over Top They viii
Stay Over-When Germans Start to
Run They VIII Keep on Running,
Says Comma at Camp Dodge
Praises U. S. Soldiers Now in Europe.

Des Moines, Feb. 19.-"Th, assemb-
ling OF American national army SOL
diers on the fighting line in France will
mark the beginning of the END of trench
warfare and he dcriat of the central
powers
This is the prediction of Maj. Cen
+. II. Flummer commanding the Eigh-
ty-eighth division al Camp Dodge,
who returned to duty yesterday after
spending three months on an observa-
ton tour of the battle line in Europe.
They will never settle this war in
the trenches" General Piummer said
When the American troops get on the
lighting line they are going over and
will stay over. open warfare viii win
this VAR
General Plunmer said that once the
Germans start 70 run and are dislodged
from their trenches they will not stop
running.
Praises American Soldiers.
The division commander lad only the
highest praise for American soldiers
nov in Europe. Asked concerning re-
ports that American soldiers were seen
drunk on the streets OF London ana
other places. General PlumInef said.
There is absolutely no foundation for
such a report. / did not see n single
drunken American soldier. The Off
GERS and men of both the French and
British forces have only the highest
praise for the 1eportme nt and conduct
OF the American soldiers.
The percentage Of American troops
affected with social diseases according
to a report 10 the chief Of staff OF the
expcditionary forces, General Plummer
said was -tenths Of orc per cent
Men Are Equipped.
The general commanding the Ameri-
can forces now actually engaged In
the conflict told General Plummer that
the men in his command had plenty
of clothing and all the necessary equip
ment.
The mail situation Is ono most ser
!ous reported 70 General Pummer and
is cause OF much discomfort among the
American forces.
It is from one to three months before
the men in France receive their mail
from home General Plummer says and
sometimes they do not receive 1t at all.
The English and french forces he said
receive not only their mali promptly
hut also the daily papers the day fol-
lowing their publication.
Discipline for the soldiers in training
In the United States is the one thing
of greater importance, General Plum
mer said officers in France told him.
This coupled with plenty of rifle prac-
tice and the development OF men into
expert shots are the two things most
desired OF the Americans VINO VIII
eventually occupy the front line trench
es instruction in other methods OF
warfare can be given after the soldiers
reach France in comparatively short
time, General P.unmer said. -....
The First Attack.
The first surprise attack on Arner1-
can forces in which several soldiers
were killed and others captured, Cen
cral Plunnner said. was not the fault
of officers or men. The men were TAX
en- into the trenches in the night ana
had not become accustomed to the SIT
nation before the attack came. The IN :
vestigative board, the general said, has
cleared all concerned.
There will be practically no changes
in the method OF instruction At Camp
Dodge according to the commander.
The course which has been pursued
under his direction thus far will be
continued.