New-York tribune., 1918-10-13

Forces in France is indicated
i'll a recent article in "L'Illus-
tration" (Paris), by Gustave Babin, who
declares that the French commanders re-
gard the Americans as the most splendid
fighters and that on the first day the
French saw Americans in action they
learned to admire their soldierly quail
ties. He says
ITO realize fully the military value of the
American soldiers one ought to hear the
opinion of the generals who have seen them
in action: General Debeney, who was the
first one to command them in battle and
who had the full consciousness of the role
they were to play in ending the conflict;
General Gouraud whom they helped in de-
tending the Marine on July 10; Generals
Mangin and Degoutte, to whom they gave
splendid assistance in their offensives
I'm the course of an interview shortly be-
fore he received the marshals baton, Foch
thus expressed his own opinion and that of
his great chiefs 'As to the Americans, YOU
can say that they are admirable soldiers
There is only one reproach that can be
brought against them: they are driving too
fast. l am compelled to restrain them. Can
one express greater admiration for troops?
They want nothing but to march forward
and to Kill the largest possible number of
Germans
"The first American contingent, belonging
to the 42d, or Rainbow Division, last winter
held trenches in Lorraine. They showed
there qualities which justified the most
brilliant hopes. But it was under the Or
ders Of General Debeney that the Americans
made their first appearance in real warfare
They particularly distinguished themselves
in the battle at Cantigny, near Montdidier
| recall how few days after the Germans
had begun their offensive I went to visit
this division the firing line. Even then
some of officers who had seen in battle
the soldiers of the Starry Banner declared:
They are too brave they must be re-
strained Even then they valued highly the
intelligence of the American military stafrs.
their esprit de corps their method, their
practical sense, their talent, to express it
all briefly. 1t was noticeable that these
men were adapting themselves to the new
conditions of fighting with prodigous
rapidity.
"On July is our counter offensive began.
In the Mangin army we'll as in the army
of Degoutte the American forces con-
ductcd themselves in a manner that aston
shed these two connoisseurs of the military
value Of the men under them. 4 could not
have done better with my Moroccan troops,
exclaimed General Dcgoutte, he saw them
on the evening of the goth execute a sudden
attack, a superb man9uvre which at once
brought them to the Heights of Etrepilly
from the farm of Gonetrie and La Halmar-
diere; capture three cannon, large minen-
werfer, many machine guns and two hun
dred prisoners, and thus relieve the
French who were fighting on their left and
helping them to take Monthicr and the
Petret Wood. The abandonment Of Mon
thier that evening by the enemy was the
result of their vigorous intervention.
Furthermore, in general way it may be
said that the American troops engaged from
the 18th of July very largely contributed
10 the success Of those heroic days which
led US to the banks of tho Vcsle.
"Other American units were in the sector
on the right bank of the Marine, between
Chateau Thierry and Jaulgonne. They with
stood the German attacks with rare courage
The enemy wanted to cross the Marne here
mt any price. They prevented it, in spite
of the losses which they suffered
THE assalants were more fortunate to
the east Of Jaulgonne. Here they crossed
the river on light foot bridges. The Yanks
took to defence tactics and till July 20 vic
toriously resisted. The success of our coun-
ter offensive from Hill 204 to Soissons freed
them from the pressure. Then they were
able to take part in the pursuit. And it
was they who reoccupied Jaulgonne
Charteves and Mont Saint-Sere.
But on the 22d the resistance Of the
Germans became more severe. Continually.
while retreatng. they delivered violent
blows in order to save the most possible of
their equipment and to organize their lines
of retirement. 1t was necessary to recon
quer the wooded hills of Charmed foot by
foot 1t was not until the 26th that our
good allies became the masters of this
locality and all the ridges parallel to the
Narne.
Il have spoken above of the services rem
dered to the Degouttc army by the Amer-
can I'd Division, which was taking the place
Of the division Of marines that had capt