New-York tribune., 1918-01-02
French High Commissioner
SAYS Next Six Months
Will Settle Conflict
u. S. Must Supply
Wheat, Oil, Ships
Asserts Next German Of
fensive Will Prove
Another Verdun

AN ATLANTIC PORT, Jan. 1.-The
Entente Allies are entering the hardest
period of the war, but a period which
will prove richest in decisive results
IF VIC know how to play a good game,
and its issue will be decided in the
next six months. according to Captain
Andre Tardieu, French High Commits
sioner to the United States, who re-
turned TO this country to-day. He will
go to Washington to morrow.
The commissioner first arrived in
this country last May. He returned to
France in November, and his govern
ment decided to continue his official
title for n period Of six months. He
made this statement:
Il won't surprise you by stating that
] am not able to give any detailed in
formation before having been in touch
with tie American government on the
one part and with my Office in Wash
ington on the other.
"As a set-of, what I can tell and
what want to tell at once is this:
Praises Colonel House
Thanks to the presence of Colonel
House and Of his associates, the inter
Allied conference has done excellent
ernment of the United States should
assert its will and its capacity to
take in Europe the part which belongs
to America in the direction of war.
This result is obtained.
But, however important it may be,
the work accomplished is nothing if
compared with what remains to be
done during the next months.
we are entering, i'll fact, the hard
est period <f the war-the richest in
decisive results, if We know how to
play good game-but also the richest
in trials, in difficulties and in dangers.
"a strong German attack is probable,
or at least possible, on the Western
front during this winter. | am abso-
lutely confident that it shall be another
Verdun.
The moral and material condition
of the French army has never been
more magnificent. Please believe a
man who fought during the two first
years of war, who knows we'll his com
DanlOlS IN arms ana VINO just mas dp-
preached. them again.
The British army is equally superb
The American army IS increasing day
fhy day. 1t will be worthy of your ma
If the enemies attack they will not
pass.
"But the battle is not only on tn.
battlefield We have to furnish, fol
supplying the war, an enormous eco
nomic effort
Il have told to the French, will
complete frankness, what America ex
poets from them in the way of restric
tions and new sacrifices.
II am coming back to explain her
the necessary sacrifices that France ant
her allies are expecting from Americ
for victory.
you have already done much. No
body knows it better than I do. Yo,
have seen my work for eight months
You know that | do not like delusion
nor ambiguity nor conventional opti
mlsm. | repeat. because it is true, tina
you Americans have an enormous an
immediate effort to furnish.
I'VE need, together with men. wheat
ships. oil and locomotives You ar
able to give them to us only by restrict
ing yourselves severely. am sur
you will agree to this sacrifice if it i
shown clearly to be Of an absolut
urgency:
81 tell you the facts as | see them
There are people in France who re
proach me for speaking too brutally
There will be some here, perhaps. VIII,
will make the same criticism. do no
care. The heavy war mission witt
which / am trusted does not consist il
telling pleasant things but in telling
useful things. When am telling then
can add that [ speak with full au
thorty. in the name Of the chief o
the French government, NJ Clemencea,
TO be able to come back here
made the most difficult decision whic
have had to make during my politica
carecr--refusing to remain in Paris q
minister in NJ. Clemenceau's Cab
net. You know that my good colleagu
and friend Northciffe has done tn
same and has refused to enter tn
British Cabinet.
Truth Must Be Told
1T is because we both believe, in &c
ccrd with our governments, that not!
ing is more urging and more neccssar
1 than what we doing here, in dircc
! connection with your illustrous Presi
dent and his government But to d
it. and to do it WE'LL above all thing
truth must be told. always, cverywhe re
Rely upon me for not failing IN thi
duty, and rcmcn Der also that .f tn
war can last yet a long while, it i.
however, during the next six month
that its issue will be decided.
This is why. from the first day.
am anxious to impress upon America
opinion the object and the ways
Now let Us work for victory"