Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-03-30
ALLIES WERE INFORMED
AS TO GREAT OFFENSIVE
General Bell Says Withdrawal Was
Anticipated and ''Is All
Over Now"
AMERICANS WE'LL EQUnpEl
Morale at Highest Mark, and No
Such Thing as Pcssimism in Sol
dicrs' Minds - Modern Warfare
Explained to Committee.
rDy Associated Press.l

WASHINGTON, March 2s.-The Brit
ish withdrawal before the German ad-
vance was made according to prear-
ranged plans, and is call over now"
Major General J. Franklin Bell to-day
told the Senate Military Committee. He
said the allies have known OF the Ger
man preparations for the present drive
since soon after they were begun, and
made active preparations to face It..
General Bell recently returned from
the battle front.
General Bell was called by the SEN
ate Military Committee to inform the
members regarding conditions on the
battle field. He said the German gem
erals recently were quoted as saying
TWO month"; preparation was neces-
sary for the present drive.
There has been an impression. he
said. that the allies were partly ignorant
or German plans, but that he denied,
declaring he was informed conlden-
tally OF the allies preparation to face
the Germans when he vas there. and
declared the British Withdrawal was
according TO n prcarrangcd plan.
PERSHlNG HAS TRAINING
SCHOOLS BACK Of LINES
General Bell explained some OF the
scientific means used by modern
army to detect gunfire, and gave assur-
ances that General PcrshinK was doing
everything In the way Of establishing
schools back OF the American lines, IN
order to train his men in the use of
such methods.
That the most advanced trench IA
never held In times OF a serious at
tack was stated by General Bell, who
explained that they are principally
used for lookout purposes.
The general said that so far IA he
knew Pershing's command Is fully
equipped.
Il think there has been some mis-
apprehension concerning certain equip
ment." he said al the beginning of
our entrance into the war. the French
government agreed TO furnish certain
other equipment by agreement"
There was shortage OF horses at
first. and later there was 4 need for
motor trucks he said. but the short
ages have been met.
rESSIMIsM ONLY AMONG
THOSE: NOT IS THE FIGHTING
The highest praise OF the Anne r,ca n
morale In France was given by General
Bell. The closer to the front-ll limo
trenches. tho greater Is the morale. he
said. adding that the only pessimisrn
he heard while at the front came from
noncombatant military men back OF
Tie front-iine trenches. and from a
few civilians. some or them newspaper
men.
General Bell said ag. Is an .inportan,
factor in efficiency. and that. In his
Judgment. the average man begins TO
deterorate in military efficiency after
he passes nifty. He pronounced the
German general stan as the "ablest the
world has ever seen" bu, modified this
10 zone OF the ablest." He declared
Won IIindenhurg, Won Mnckcnscn and
Ludendorff are exceptions TO the gen
cral rule.
"Thercfor>. Germany. by virtue OF
the possession OF one ~ the abicst and
best trained general STATS 81 the world.
is able 10 profit by retaining the cNperi-
ence OF some Of the old, but able, gen
erals" he declared.