The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-06
The story Of Ous Men in France.

The story OF Dug Men in France.
Besides the valor and adaptability
of the men and officers who COM
posed the American Expeditionary
Forces in France, two things are
made apparent In General PERsHTNG's
comprehensive report to Secretary
BAKER, made public yesterday. One
Of them Is the extent TO which we
were assisted In the training and
equipment of our armies by the
French and the British, and the other
is the good feeling which accom-
panied the cooperation OF diverse ma
tionalties throughout the period be-
tween the appearance of our troops
in France and the decisive victories
Of the war.
In General PERsuING's phrase, "our
entry into the war found us with few
of the auxlIarles necessary for its
conduct In the modern sense" and
these deficiencies could not be sup
piled at n moments notice. In this
lilb SupBiACu Suhof
airplanes and tanks to the limit OF
their ability; in tanks alone their pro-
duction seems to have been scarcely
adequate TO meet the needs of their
own armies and ours. General PER
SHINES tribute to the French for
what they did in these matters is
frank and open, but he is careful to
add that American manufacturers de-
serve credit fTr what they accom-
plshed In the time at their disposal.
and It is satisfactory 10 learn from
= him that at the moment the armistice
was signed the American commander
II the field was liable TO look for
ward to the early supply Of practi-
cally all our necessities from our own
factories"
1t Is well worth while to repeat
what General PERsHING says of the
relations which subsistcd between the
Allies and the Americans:
"Cooperauon among the Allies has ut
all times bee most cordial
a FAR gl4 effort has been put
forth by the Allied armies and STATS TO
assist US than could have been expected.
THE French Government and army
have always stood ready TO furnish US
with supplies. equipment and transpor-
tatton and to aid US in every way.
''In the towns and hamlets wherever
our troops have been stationed or BILL
leted the French people have everywhere
received them more as relatives and in
. Innate friends than as soldiers OF for
elgn army.
For these things words are quite In
adequate 10 express our gratitude.
~ There can be no doubt that the rela-
tons growing out OF our associations
hero assure a permanent friendship he
, tween the two peoples.
although we have not been so init
mately associated with the people OF
, Great Britain. yet their troops and ours
when thrown together have always
warmly fratern!zed.
The reception OF those Of our forces
, who have passed through England and
Of those who have been stationed there
has always been enthusiasts.
Altogether It has been deeply I'm
pressed upon us that the ties OF Ian
suage and blood bring the British and
ourselves together completely and in
separately"
i General PERsHING has had a bet
ter opportunity to know the details OF
, our transactions with military and
q civil authorities, the armies and the
, population abroad, than any other
American. His testimony as TO cor
. diality and helpfuinrss displayed on
1 all sides Is comprehensive and con-
vinclng. II will overcome all the idle
r chatter III Informed persons may put
: in circulation concerning subject
: which should not be discussed except
o by men OF judgment and experience.
4 The testimony to the courage, re-
q sOurcefulness and quick intelligence
= Of our troops contained in this re-
J.. port supports and confirms the OBJ
1 servatlons previously made on this
subject. The American soldier won
s the respect and confidence OF the vet
, Grams of France and England. He
, brought 10 the battle front an eager
>. desire for knowledge, quick conf
o prehension Of his instructions, and
: entire confidence in himself which
Y his conduct amply justified. lie has
+ cause to be proud of himself, as his
. countrymen are proud Of him.
a From General PERsHIHG we get n
clearer notion OF the difficulties and
q complexities OF the job Of defeating