Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-12-05
PERSHING GIVES
PRAISE TO ARMY
American Commander Pays
Soldiers Supreme Tribute"
in Report to Baker.
CAUSES STRIKE AT GERMANS
Intimation Strong That Our
General Persuades Foch
to Start Offensive.
PAvES WAY FOR VICTORY
Reduction of st. Mihiel and
Meuse Drive Threaten
Hun Annihilation.
CAUSES STRIKE AT GERMANS
PAVES WAY FOR VICTORY

John J. Pershing's account OF his
stewardship as commander OF the
American eXpeditionary forces was
given to the public today by Secre-
tary Baker, 1t was in the form OF a
preliminary report to the secretary,
covering operations up to November
20, after the German collapse. II
cloves with these words from the
leader 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 think OF their
hcroism, their patience under
hnrdships, their unflinching spirit
OF offensive action, am filled
with emotion which I am unable
10 express, Their deeds arc Inn
mortal. and they have earned the
eternal gratitude OF our country"
The report begins with General
'ershing's departure for France to
pave the way for the army that was
- SAhH1AA NiNi lto-HAdHCt OH lUt
Meuse and give vital aid to the al
lies in forcing Germany to It's knees
l9 months later. It's striking feature
is the section devoted to combat
operations" where Il told the story
of fighting by the men who directed
i.
Early Encounters Training.
General Pershing views the en-
counters before March 2l Of this
year in which American troops par
;icipated as a part OF their training
md dismisses them briefly. On that
date, however, the great German Of
fens've was launched and a crucial
situation quickly developed in the
allied hines, which called for prompt
use or the four American divisions
mat were at that time equal to any
demands Of battle action"
The first crisis OF the German
drive had been reached in Picardy
The crisis which this offensive
developed was such" General Persh-
.ng Gays. that our occupation of an
American sector must be postponed.
On March 2S placed at the disposal
OF Marshal Foch, who had been
agreed upon as commander in chief
II the allied arimes. all OF our forces
o be used as he might decide. At
his request the first division was
transferred from the Toul sector to
position In reserve at Chaumont
IN Nexin' As German superiority m
numbers required prompt action, an
agreement was reached at the Able
vile conference OF the allied pre-
mlers and commanders and myself
IN May 2 by which British shipping
was to transport 10 American d.
visions to the British army area.
where they were to be trained and
equipped, and additional British
shipping was to be provided for az
many divisions as possible for use
elsewhere.
"on April 20 the first division
had gone Into the line in the
MOntdidlcr salient on the Picardy
battle front. Tactics Ind been
suddenly reVoIutlonizcd TO those
Of open warfare, and 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 position In It's front, TAX
ing with splendid dash the town
OF Cantlgny and all other objcc-
lives, which were organized and
held steadfastly against vicious
countcrattacks and CALLING artII-
lcry fire. Although local. this
brilliant action had an electrical
effect, as II demonstrated our
fighting qualities under extreme
battle conditions. and also that
the cnemy's troops were not al
together invlnciblc."
Aisne Thrust Next.
There followed Immediately the
German thrust across the Aisne to-
ward Paris.
"The allies" General Pershing
says, faced a crisis equally as grave
as that II the Picardy offensive in
March. Again every available man
was placed at Marshal Foch's dis
posal, and the third division, which
had just come from Its preliminary
training in the trenches, was hurried
to the Marne. It's motorized ma
CONTINUED ON PAGE EIGHT.
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