Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-12-15
WILSON DECLINES TO MAKE
MOVE TOWARD SETTLEMENT
OF SENATE TREATY FIGHT
YANKEES TURNED
THE TIDE Of WAR
AGAINST GERMANS


! Washington, Dec. 14-General
Pershing, in his special report to Sec
rectary Baker, on the operations of
the American army in France. says in
effect, although not in terms that the
American army won the war.
1T was this spirit of determination
animating every American soldier" f"
says General Pershing referring to
| the Meuse- -Argonne battle, that made
| 1t impossible for the enemy to main
tan the struggle until 1919"
Twenty American and four
French divisions, says General Pesh-
ing, had engaged and decisively
beaten firty-seVen German divisions.
representing 25 per cent of the
enemy's entire divisional strength on
the western front OF the enemy di-
visions, twenty had been drawn from
the French front and one from the
British front, OF the twenty-five
American divisions. twelve had at
various times during this period (Sep-
tember 26 TO November II, 1879.
been engaged on other fronts than our
own. The First army had suffered
loss of about 11I00Q, in killed and
wounded: it had captured $4,000
prisoners, S47 cannon, 5000 m""
guns and large quantities of materi-
With the American army holding
the heights dominating Sedan, the re
port said, and the German line OF
communications definitely sundered
recognizing that nothing but cessa-
tion of hostilities could save his
pealed for an immediate armistice
November 6)a
Summarizing the military situation
which existed in the spring of 1917,
when the United States aligned itself
with the allies. General Pershing said
I'm the five months ending. .l1lnn
80, 1917, German submarines had ac-
cen pliShed the destruction of more
than $3.50. coo tons of allied shipping.
During three years Germany had
seen practically all her offensives ex-
cept Verdun crowned with success.
Her battle lines were held on foreign
soil and she had withstood every at
tack since the Marine. The German
general staff could foresee now the
complete elimination of Russia, the
possibility of defeating Italy before
the end of the year and, finally, the
campaign of 1918 against the French
and British on the western front
which might terminate the war,
Financial problems of the allies
were difficult, supplies were becom-
ing exhausted and their armies had
Suffered tfssuenQOaS losses. Dis
couragement existed not only among
the civil population but throughout
the armies as we'll"
NlI0lIl one InOnln Oh MS arrival,
General Pershing recommended de-
that 100000 men should be
in France before May, 1918. it being
evident that "a force of one million
is the smallest unit which in modern
war will be a complete, .well-balanced
ton" Plans for the future. the re-
commendation added, Should be
based on three times this force"
The general was equally specific in
choosing the ground for American |
operations He says; .eona,,. a.. ;.
was essential to make plans for strik- |
ing the enemy where O definite mill |
tarv decision could be gained. While |
the allied armies had endeavored TO |
maintain the offensive. the British in
order to guard the channel ports. were
to operations in Flanders
and the French to the portion of the
front protecting Paris: Both lacked
troops to operate elsewhere on "a
large scale.
ITO the east the great fortified dis
trict east of Verdun and around Metz
central France. protected
the most exposed portion of the Ger
man line of communications that be-
tween Metz and Sedan. and covered !
he Briey region, from which the
enemy obtained the greater. part Of
he iron required for munitions and
material, The coal fields east of
Metz were also covered bv these same
iefenses. A deep advance east of
ZION. bv threatening the invasion of
'ich German territory in the Moselle
lalley and the Saar basin. thus cur
ailing her supply of coal or iron,
would have a decisive effect In fore
ng withdrawal of German troops
rom northern France. The military
ind economic situation of the enemy.
therefore,, indicated Lorraine as the
ield promising the most fruitful re-
'ults for the employment Of our
trmies."
American arms drew first blood.
he report shows. at Passcendaele
'idge. November Clio. 1917. when the
eleventh engineers Joined the British
n successful attack which was part
# a general operation designed 'to
hinder the German conquest of Rus
ian and to prevent. If possible. an at
ack on Italy. or in the near east"
The navy in European waters un-
Ter command of Admiral Sims at all
,ur sister service We owe the safe
trivial of our armies and their sup
llies. 1t is most gratifying to record
hat there has never been such per-
ect understanding between these two
branches of the service.
"Our armies were conscious of the
upport and cooperation of ALI
ranches of the government. Behind
hem stood the entire American ueo-
lie. whose ardent patriotism and svm-
Ieep sense of obligation. Of loyalty ,
nd of devotion to the country's
.ause never eaualed in our history.
Finally. the memory of the un-
linohing fortitude and heroism of the
-reatest admiration. To them again /,
'av the sdpreme tribute. Their de-
otion, their valor and their sacri- ,
ices will live forever in the hearts :
t their grateful countrymen.
I'm closing this report Mr.. Secre- ,,
ary. | desire to record nv deep ap-
of the unqualified support +,
ccorded me throughout the war by
he president and yourself. My task
ras simplified by your confidence and
rise counsel"