Sharp County record., 1918-12-13
com MMANDER PAYS
SUPREME TRIBUTE
TO AMERICAN ARMY
General Pershing Renders De-
tailed Report Of His Opera.
4 tiOnS in France.
SAYS CRISIS OF GREAT
4 WAR CAME ON MARCH Fl
There Are Now In Europe Thirty DlW.
sions Of U. S. Troops, or Approx
mateIy 2,053,347 Neutrality-suspicious.
Previous to March 21 Only Training.

matey 2o53,347 Men-operaticns
u Previous to March 21 Only Training.
n Washington, Dec. 5.-Gen. John J
Pershing's account of his stewardship
as commander of the American expe-
ditionary forces was given to the pub
He Wednesday by Secretary Baker.
q 1t is in the form Of a preliminary re-
port to the secretary, covering opera
Hons up to November 20, after the
German collapse. 1t closes with these
words from the leader of the great
army in France, expressing his feeling
for those who served under him:
"A II pay the supreme tribute to our
officers and soldiers of the line. When
] think Of their heroism, their patience
nnder hardships, their unflinching splr-
VI Of offensive action, am filled with
emotion which am unable to express.
'Thelr deeds are immortal and they
have earned the eternal gratitude Of
Our country"
u The report begins with General
Pershlng's departure for France to
pave the way for the army that was to
Smash German resistance on the
Neuse and give vital aid to the allies
~ forcing Germany to Its knees 10
months later.
Crisis on March Il.
"A General Pershlng views the encoun-
ters before March q of this year, In
which American troops participated as
A part of their training and dlsmisses
{hem briefly On that date, however,
Fhe great German offensive was
launched and crucial situation quick
~ developed In the allied lines which
called for prompt use Of the four
american divisions that were at the
tlme equal to any demands Of battle
action."
n "Ihe crisis which this offensive de-
feloped was SUCH" General Pershlng
bays, that on March 2S l placed at
Pic disposal Of Marshal Foch, who had
oeen agreed upon as commander In
fhlef Of the allied armies, all Of our
gorces At his request the First dlyl-
uon was transferred from the foul
sector to n position In reserve at Chau-
mont en- vcxln.
"As German superiority In numbers
required prompt action, an agreement
vas reached 0t the Abbevlle confer
ence Of the allied premlers and com.
nnnders and myself on May 2 by
Which British shipping was to trans
port ten American divisions to the
British army area, where they were to
pc trained ind equipped, and addition
" British shipping was to be provided
For as many divisions as possible for
nse elsewhere.
Men Eager for Test.
ION April 20 the First division Ind
gone Into the line In the Montdldler
'sollent, on the pc0rdy battle front.
|Tnetlcs had been suddenly revolution
Eed to those Of open warfare, and our
men, confident Of the results OF their
I'rNlnng, were o0gcr for tho test, On
Pie morning Of May 2s this division
|sttoeEed the commanding German po-
sitloh In Its front, taking with splendid
|tosh the town Of Contlgny and all
.pther detectives, which were organized
'nd held stcodrastly against Vicious
|.ounteratt0cks and CALLING artillery
hre.
although local, this brilliant notion
.hnd an electrical effect, as II demon.
'strOted our fighting qualities under
|extrcmo bottlc conditions and also TINT
lho cncmy's troops were not altogether
|lhylnelble."
Hold Foe at Chateau Thlerry.
There followed Immediately the Ger.
mon thrust across the Alsno river to-
ward Paris, He continues,
"fhe Third division, which had lust
come from Its preliminary training in
the trenches, was hurried to the
Mhrhe, Its motorized mnehlne-gun
battalion preceded the other units and
successfully held the bridgehend NJ
fho Morno opposite Chateau ThIerry
"rhe Second division, IN reserve
nenr Mohtddler, wns sent by motor.
trucks and other available transport
70 check the progress Of the enemy
Toward Paris. The division attacked
nnd reiook the town md rnllrood stn,
tlon ut Bourcsehes and sturdlly held
Its ground against the enemy's best
guard divisions.
I'm the battle Of Bclleou wood, which
Followed, our men proved their m
pcr'ority and enincd a strong tactics,
position, with fur greater loss TO the
enemy than TO ourselves. On July 1,
BEFORE the Second was relieved, II cup.
tured the village Of vaut Win splcn,
AtH ..-.s-a-