The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-21
DENY TRAUB TALE.
Letter from Col. Carl Ristine a
Contrast to Traub Talk.
Says General Martin Was a
~ Good Officer All Time.

Washington, Feb. 21.-In striking
contrast to the tone of the testimony
of Gen. Peter Traub, commander of
the Thirty Fifth Division before the
house rules committee during the
morning, letter was read from Col.
Carl Ristine of the 18Th regiment "a
Missouri-kansas regiment) before the
senate military affairs commntee
Thursday afternoon, which said:
"If the fathers and mothers in the
United States only knew of the vast
number who have been sacrificed on
the altar of ineffic.ency. I think it
would be enlightening information
and some day I hope the truth may be
permitted to come to light
Martin Puts Letter In.
The Ristine letter was brought out
when the senate committee referred
to the Thirty-Fifth Division in con-
nection with national guard legisla-
ton that was pending before the com
mittee. Ben. Charles I. Martin of
Kansas, had been asked to explain
needed legislation and senators having
learned of the testimony of General
Traub before the house committee,
asked him the circumstances of his
being relieved from command imme-
diately before the Argonne Forest bat
tie. General Martin did not go into
the various charges that have been
made regarding the Kansas Missouri
Division and touched only briefly upon
his own case, stating that the time
would come (when the division gets
home) when he would welcome a
chance to be heard, but that he pre-
ferred making no extended statement
at this time. He said, however. that
as long as the question has been put
as to his being relieved of command,
he would answer it briefly.
Said He Lacked Force.
I1<,i,,
ordered to the service of supplies
General Martin said, 81 went to divi-
sional headquarters. The commander
said I suppose you know what it is all
about L said L did not. The di-
visional commander Che did not use
General Traub's name) said he re-
garded me as a good tactician and
with good qualities of leadership, but
that 1 lacked force. The division
commander had only seen me five
| times. twice in the trenches and three
times at headquarters, and then only
| for a few minutes. He was not as
well qualified to determine my quail
fications as a general under whom /
had served for a year"
| General Martin was referring to
| Major General Wright, who had been
commander of the division and had
for his efficiency.
i General Martin had served to the
entire satisfaction of General Wright
| for more than year. General
| Martin said that other national guare
| general officers were removed at the
| same time. in fact, nearly all then in
| France. But, he added, he did not
care to go into the matter at this
| time.
There are many other things which
| would be enlightening to the people
back home if only we were permitted
to write and tell of the facts" Colonel
Ristine wrote. For instance, if the
fathers and mothers in the United
| States only knew of the vast number
who have been sacrificed on the altar
of inefficiency. think it would be en-
Tightening information. and some day
| I hope the truth may be permitted to
| come to light and the people in the
| United States permitted to know whe
did. and who did not perform ef-
| ficiently in this great war.
! without mentioning any names or
| going into any details about the matter
| or giving any reasons, l will simply
] add that it has been most marvel
| Gus revelation to me that so many
| men would fail in doing and per-
forming the task and duties which they
were called upon to do and perform
| in the major operations over there.
Notwithstanding the fact they had
| spent their entire life in training and
| preparing to do and perform such
/ tasks.
I'VE are all hopefully looking for
ward to the time when we will be
permitted to go back to the United
States, and I know 1 speak the senti-
ments of every man in the 35th divi-
| sion who has any knowledge whatso-
| ever about the services which you
| rendered the 10th division and this
division. when 1 say that all we want
| to see is the color of the mans hair
| who dares to say that you were not
| loyal. faithful. true and efficient to
| every officer and man with whom you
served
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