The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-05-21
LORD French PAYS
(Couttuued from Pags ona-)

have dcscribcd-bold, hopeful and
CHEEKY but ever vigilant. wary and full
of! resource.
Several local attacks were delivered
against the First corps. which were re-
pulsed with loss, and l saw little reason
to fear that the temporary weakening OF
our line would have any III effects.
The First cavalry division was now
also en- route for the nothern theator
On the 5th reports had reached me
from Bridges in Antwerp. he was Ger
tainly pcssimistic az TO the possibility
of the fortress holding out until we
could relieve It He told me that the
Germans had 16-inch howitzers in po-
sItion against the forts
There were Indications today that con-
siderable German forces were collecting
against Fuch's left, near Lille. and The
Ranking movement was making very lit
tie progrcsS German cavalry were re-
ported 10 be in Hazebrouck-
At Fcrc-cn-Tardenois received visit
from President Poincare. He thanked
me for all the work the British army
had done in France. and spoke great
deal abuu, the situation al Antwerp He
told me he thought The action OF the
British war office in sending troops INTO
Antwerp was a mistake and expressed
great surprise that the control and d.
rection of all the British troops In
France was not left entirely In the hands
of one commandcr-in-chief.
On the Sth general headQua RI ers moved
! TO Abbcvillc. NJ which place tho Second
corps had nearly completed their ae-
J trainment. They were concentrating
| northeast Of Abbcville, and their lead
! ing troops were an the line OneuN-Nou-
! Women onthicu.
The Third corps hid been relieved on
! the Aisnc by French troops. and their
entertainment at Compegne was proceed
| ing.
We left Fcre-en-Tardenois at half-past
eight on the morning of the Sth, and
reached General dc Castelnau'S head,
, quarters at Brctcuil about one. he told
me- that his Fourth corps WAS again be-
| iny very hard pressed. and that the en-
! envy was attacking violently all along
! his front. The general had just hoard
| that two Of his sons had been killed IN
action and was naturally IN very Sdo
and depressed frame or mlnd: os
| | then went on 10 General toch S hcao
| quarters at Doullcns. which rcachco
\ about 4 in tine afternoon. He gave me
! a great reception, with guard or honor.
Tic took Il very optimistic view OF inc
situation, said that the enemy was max
Ing no Roadway anywhere and that he
was gradually getting around the Ger
man flank on tho north. II gave me q
great hope for the future 10 fnd MIN
| 50 confident of success.
| O explained my plans to him orieNE
| as follows:
The Second corps. having completed
! its dntrninnlcnt north of Ahheville, was
! TO march to the line Airc-Bcthunc' INC
CORPS should arrive there on inc I'm
! the Third corps was 10 dctraln NJ 81.
| Omcr about the 18th: tho cavalry was 70
move in advance Of tho Second corps, TO
sweep around by the front ana northern
flank to clear the ground.
! returned to Abbcvill" that evening.
found that IN officer had arrived from
Ostcnd by motor with ISlicr A' on
| in1
situation in tho north. the dethlis "t
remained ut Abbovillc and its neigh
borhond on tho 9TH. 1917,
Tho British move 70 ms norm We W.
now in full swing AbbcvilIe Is an I'M
! pnrtan, railway junction. and ms l Iook-
/ cd down from some high ground COM
| handing Il view OF all the lines q. TIL
| way. il was as though every Set ~ ny :.
ais had IT'S procession nt trains as IHI as
; Tho eve could reach. That flank move
; mrut of some magnitude was nrocccuInE
must have hrcu apparent 10 any ooserS
/ or. Some enemy airrlanes 1Icw over 'n'
| ground on which stood. and ! 1rlt sur'
! thai tho Germans must have Ind warn
! ing of our approach TO tho north. Fut
| If the movement was ever properly TO-
! ported very little attention was paid 70
| it, for tn" suhscducnl actlFltlcs Oh w,
! c.lvalry and the Third Corps were most
| certainly n surprise To the enemy.
| Spicrs. too came in and told me that
the left of Forh'S army De MnudhuyS
Cnrrs) was holding It's own wei.
,rb,, Jnv had 4 long interview with
Allrnhv and arranged with him 10 form
ii'n rnvoIrv into two divisions ihr first
urdrr he Elsie. the second under Cough.
the two forming the cavalry corps TO De
q: course under Allcnh%'s command
/ RI; rcr1cL him Ia make hrc by the 10th
win thc second cavalry division. tn"
first Ia follow in support.
told him that his role In tho immrdi-
alto future would he 10 clear tho country
10 the north and northeast. recohnnit"r-
! inr woods. "l.'. and securing passages
over Waterways. | warned him that ne
must ho prepared I" turn around anu