The Ordway new era., 1918-12-13
PERSH|NC TELLS
STORY OF WAR
Commander in Detailed Report
Relates How the U. S.
Men Won.
SETS MARCH q AS CRISIS
Views American Operations Prior to
That Date as Part of Their Train
Ing - Pays Supreme Tribute
to Officers and Men.

Washington. Dec. 5.-Gen. John ].
Pershing's account of his stewardship
rs commander of the American eXpe-
dictionary forces was given to the pub
lie Wednesday by Secretary Baker.
It is In the form of II preliminary re-
port to the secretary. covering opera
tions up to November ~. after the
German collapse. 1t closes with these
words from the lender OF the great
army in France. expressing his feeling
for those who served under him:
II pay the supreme tribute to our
officers and soldiers of the line. When
i think Of their lieroisnn. their patience
under hardshlps, their unflinchlng spir-
1t of offensive action, am filed with
Their deeds are immortal and they
have earned the etcrual gratitude of
our country"
The report begins with General
Per ;hings departure for France to
pave the way for the army that was to
smash German resistance on the
Meuse and give vital aid to the allies
in forcing Germany to its knees 10
months later
Crisis on March Fl.
General Pershing views the encoun-
ters before March p of this year, in
which American troops participated rs
n part of their training, and dismlsses
them briefly. On that date, however
the great German offensive was
launched and crucial situation quick
ly developed in the allied lines which
called for prompt use of the four
American divisions that were Mt the
time equal to any demands of battle
action"
1.-THE crisis which this offensive de-
veloped was SUCH" General Pershlng
says, that on March 2S I placed at
the disposal of Marshal FOch, who had
been agreed upon as commander in
chief of the allied armies, all of our
forces. At his request the First divi-
sion was transferred from the Toul
sector to n position in reserve ut Chau-
mont en- VeXin.
"As German superiority in numbers
required prompt action, an agreement
was reached at the Abbeville confer
ence of the allied premiers and COM
manders and myself OH May by
which British shipping was to trans
port ten American divisions to the
British army area. where they were to
be trained and equipped. and addition
al British shipping was to be provided
for as many divisions as possible for
use elsewhere.
Men Eager for Test.
"On April 90 the First division had
gone into the line In the MOntdidier
salient, on the Picardy battle front.
Tactics had been suddenly revolution
lied to those OF open warfare, md our
men, confident of the results of their
training, were eager for the test. On
the morning Of May 2S this division
attacked the commanding German pO-
sition In Its front. taking with splendid
dash the town of Cantigny and all
other detectives. which were organized
and held steadfastly against vicious
counter-attacks and CALLING artillery
fire.
although local. this brilliant action
had an electrical effect. us 1t demon
strated our lighting qualities under
extreme battle conditions and also that
the enemy's troops were not altogether
invinclble."
Hold Foe at Chateau Thierry.
There followed Immediately the Ger
man thrust across the Aisne river to-
ward Paris. He continues:
'The Third division. which had just
come from its preliminary trimming in
the trenches. was hurried to the
Marine. Its motorized machine-gun
battalion preceded the other units and
successfully held the brldgehead AT
the Marine, opposite Chateau Thierry.
''rhc Second division, In reserve
near Montdltlcr. was sent by motor
trucks and other available transport
TO check the progress of the enemy
toward Pnris The division attacked
and retOok the town and railroad sta
tiOn at Bourcsches and sturdily held
its ground against the enemy's best
guard divisions.
"In the battle Of Belleau wood, which
followed. our men proved their SUI
periority and gained II strong tactical
position, with far greater loss to the
enemy than TO ourselves. On July /,
before the Second was relieved, 1t cap
tured the village of Vaux with spIen-
did precision.
Stand Between Paris and Foe.
meanwhile our Second corps, under