Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1918-05-01
CALL FROM FRANCE
FOR j. S. TO HASTEN
AID TO The ALLIES

fidence Notwithstanding the enormous
difficulties of the moment, and provided
every one understands clearly his duty
toward our common cause, which is
that of the liberty of the world. And
YOUR duty, American, is to make
haste"
This message was brought to the
United States by NJ. De Billy, Deputy
French High Commissioner. who has just
returned from France.
M. De Billy formal statment tol-
lows:
"As I set foot again on American
soil. after having been France dur
ing those tragical days of the end OF
March and the beginning of April,
trust you will understand that M
first feeling should be a feeling OF
pride for my country.
"Some people here were inclined TO
believe that after such long war,
and so many losses, the French army
was entirely exhausted, and many were
incredulous when the High Commls-
sioner on his return from France last
January. said that morally as well as
materially the French army had never
been in more splendid condition. This
last battle has proved to the world
and mostly to our enemies, how well
founded this opinion was. What the
French army has cen doing on the
whole front and what it is still doing
has made us more proud than ever
of being French.
Secondly. I want to tell you waht
high opinion all the French officers
who have seen your boys in the
trenches have expressed of the Amer
lean men and soldiers. l heard this
unanimous praise from the commands
ers of our armies, as we'll as from the
officers of lower rank, neighbors OF
your battalions on the battle line, and
I am very happy to bring you this
message from France.
Thirdly, | want to express my APP
preciation of the two great steps taken
bv the United States in this climax OF
the war. Your people have always
been in favor of unity of command
clearly understanding that the weak
ness of coalition like ours lays pre-
-cisely in the absence of unity. When
uder the pressure OF circumstances, 1t
became apparent to all that our lack OF
coordination was the only cause o.
what came near being a serious set
back the representatives Of the Unit
ed States did more than any one else
to help overcome all difficulties and
to realize a strong coordination in
the hands of man in whom all the
armies have confidence
"And next to that greet service to
the cause was the action of General
Pershing, when he came 10 Gen. Foch
and put all his troops at his disposal,
eager only that the Americans should
play their part in the greatest battl
of the war. This went to the heart OF
every Frenchman, as well as to the
hearts of the French army. No doubt
your highly spirited and we'll trained
men have given and will give more
end more a precious help to the AL
lied armies on the western front.
Il have already used the same Ian
guage when l had the honor of send
ing a message, in November. 1917, to
the meeting of the American Historical
Association in Philadelphia. | said
then: 1T is the right thing for the
United States to prepare very strong
army for 1919 and 1920 but at the
same time the effort, necessary for
1918. must be made at once, for
big German drive, if successful in the
SpTlnR OIL IJlcs HlSnI A0huCi NpSN
Iutely useless the preparations in
course of development for the follow
ing years These words were trueT
even than l supposed.
The collapse of Russia has allowed
Germany to bring new troops to the
western front They are now out
numbering the Allies The question
of man power on our side is thus be
coming the vital point. Consequently
the training of American troops an
their transportation to the other sid
must be carried out on a scale unfor
seen few month ago, and unpre
cedented.
Meanwhile man power is not tn
only force to be transported. To fight
a battle a great deal of war mateiaI
is needed: Guns. powder, explosives
ammunition, air planes, motor truck
coal, gasoline, lubricants. Your army
over there needs them. So do the