The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1918-01-19

Department, went abroad in October
last as an unofficial committee to
study at first hand the situation which
confronts the Allies on the western
fighting front and see how our own
troops are shaping for effective SER
vice when the call shall come for them
to enter actively into the aggressive
campaign.
The members of the Congressional
party-war correspondents of Con-
gress they have been called-sought
to inform themselves as National leg
islators. They returned from France
recently, and now for the first time
present their conclusions. Summarize
ed, they cover five main points:
German efficiency has reached its
maximum.
Great Britain and France are de-
feating Germany, but not decisively.
The final determination of victory
will be made on the western front, no
matter how long the period of hostil-
ities or how desperate the struggle.
The United States must supply the
forces necessary to turn the tide of
battle.
To accomplish this, the United
States must increase its transportation
facilities, to the end that there may
be no interruption in the movement
across the ocean of men, munitions
and supplies; must coordinate its
broadened National service to the SUI
preme requirements of the Allies, thus
insuring a maximum of efficiency at a
time when the undertaking has reach
ed it's magnitude.
other conclusions there are, but
they are incidental to these major re-
quirements.
Representative c. C. Dill of Wash
lington, the chairman of the Congress
sional party, said:
France and England are defeat
ing Germany on the western front, but
! not decisively. Their armies are on
the offensive. Germanys armies are
on the defensive. That tells the whole
story.
'"The part of the United States is to
supply the added forces necessary to
turn the Allies military advantages
into military victory. The war is on
so big scale that this means America
rust supply millions of men and bill
Hons Of dollars
Saving the human wreck Of war
and repairing it impressed the party,
and forecast a work America will later
have to undertake.
1--WE saw wives and mothers" said
Mr. Dill, Sitting beside the wrecks
of men who had survived terrific OPP
erations. In their eyes was that won
derful look that only those who have
made the supreme sacrifice can ex-
press.
Again, We, saw men, -perfect+physi-
cal specimens, whose nerves were
broken, whose brains could not func-
tion-saw them learning to walk like
IL months old babies.
1--WE saw also those patient womer
who sit for hours working on the
bodies and limbs of men whose mus
tcles will not move, whose nerves mt
longer function, searching over anC
into every part of the cuticle witt
electric vibrators, trying to discover
and awaken suspended faculties.
'eWe saw men with every conceiv
able kind of injuries being cured ant
remade and all but hypnotized int
believing they could still play a use
full part in this world of struggle"
Greater transportation facilities
more aviation equipment and, abov
all, coordination of efforts represen
the most urgent needs of the Allies
said Representative Frederick c
Hicks of New York.
"Of course we must have-men, am
munition and supplies but these ar
not all. We must learn to emulat
the spirit of our brothers in arms.
THE fine organization and espri
de corps of the French, British an
Belgian troops at the front, their de
termination and courage and the eco
nomic efficiency these nations hav
developed were evident everywhere
'"They have adopted plans for sal
vaging the battlefieldS that are maj
veIously competent. They save ever
SCRAP of iron and waste material an
utilize it.
mo signs of discomfort or weaken
ing were visible along the lines W
saw, men going in and coming out c
the trenches as casually as thong
they were attending to the duties c
their erstwhile occupations. Deter
mination was stamped on their faces.
Representative John F. Miller {
Washington was deeply impressed b
the democracy and morale of tn
French army.
lover there" he said, "the majc
and the corporal the captain, the lieJ
tenant and the private sit at the san
table and sip their wine together
saw them. The plan of campaign
discussed, the sergeant, the corpor
and the private know the objective
the movement timed for tomorro
lust as well as the colonel.
THE understanding is mutual. tt
officer knows his men from close pc
sonal contact, not at arms length.
- knows the weak man and can ke'
him strong. This is practicing the b
sic idea of true democracy.
THE spirit of the French Arm
throughout aroused my deepest a.
miration. We all know that Fran
is war-worn-she is weary. What n
stion of 10000, 900 would not be, wi
two and a half millions of her vir
manhooh, killed, hopeless cripples
captured Yet no other thought tn;
victory enters the, mind of the Fren
soldier.
The great task now before our
vilization. the duty of the world
those of us who believe in free ms
tutions, is to fight out and win IL
war. It is the clear duty of every ms
every woman, every child among us
contribute something to win this CO
flict."
Mr. Miller was under fire in t
front trenches. Zone could not he
lodging as the missiles hurtled owe
said he. "A shell landed within
hundred feet and blew out a hole
the soft ground at least 100 feet in I
ameter and perhaps / o. feet deep.