The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-05-19
new ALLEN BOMB
Governor Springs Another 35th
Report on War Department.
Startling DisorganizatiOn Is
Revealed in Drum Papers.

Governor Allen has sprung an I'M
published report of the 35th division
activities in his argument with army
officers and the war department The
report is declared to have been hidden
by war department. altho Governor
Allen has been in possession of a copy
of the report for some months. The
document covers operations of the di-
vision in the Argonne. was made by
Maj. Gen. H. A. Drum and in the
judgment of the Kansas governor sup
ports his argument that the division
was not properly supported.
It is probable that the Drum report
will come before the present congress
in its special session which opened to-
day. 1t is also probable that Cover
nor Allen may later be called to WASH
ington TO discuss the document and
additional charges in the charges re-
garding the Kansas Missouri division.
In letter to Newton d. Baker, Sec
rotary of war. Governor Allen said:
Sir:
Following my return from France,
made certain statements in January in
relati to the battle of the Argonne forest
calling attention to the lack of airplanes,
lack of transportation and other unfor-
tunate circumstances which resulted in I'M
due, casualties.
Yourself and General March saw fit
to deny the accuracy of these statements
and said it would be necessary to await
the return of the division to secure from
its officers and men true recital of the
conditions and the circumstances of which
complained. | have just forwarded to
the military affairs committee Of the senate
a copy of the official report of the chief of
staff of the First army to the command
ing general of the Thirty fifth division.
This report was issued on October 20, 1918
and is the result of an inspection made
soon after the division came out of the
battle. This report contains seventeen
conclusions and is a revealing recital of all
the inadequacies and inefficiencies to
which attention was called at the begin
ming of this controversy. 1t points out
fully the heavy handicap under which the
division fought as the result of the sudden
change in brigade and regimental COM
manders upon the very eve of thesbattle
The experience of this division in this re-
spect is said to be typical of what other
divisions suffered.
Startling DisorganizatiOn.
1.-THE report relates the startling disor-
ganization which resulted from the heavy
dennis the failure to have proper telephone,
wireless and other means of communfca-
failure fall re- Of the artillery Commander, Brig
Gen. L. G. Barry, to cooperate with and
make full use Of the air service until or
with stern frankness the report states
that the division staff not efficient
or well organized; and specifically says,
struggling which commenced shortly after
H-hour showed lack of leadership and
probably poor preparation
This report gives the same recognition
to the magnificent fighting spirit and
bravery of the officers and men, which at
no time has been in controversy, and to
which have repeatedly called attention.
Men Willing to Testify.
at is my belief that since this official
report from the highest command is now in
your possession and leaves no opportunity
for anyone remaining in doubt as to any
statements that have been made. and since
in addition to this report, there are now
in this country the officers and men of the
division, ready and willing to give i'm
portant testimony as to the facts. the mat
ter should no longer be ignored evaded.
1T is not enough to say that the war
is over and since won 1t, 1t is not
worth while to pay attention to the mill
tary frailties and errors which added to
the loss of life. At an hour when a new
military program is before congress it
seems to me that no more constructive duty
presents itself than that of making use of
the experience of our armies during this
great struggle. 1t seems to me that our
duty to the future is to frankly recognize
the errors in leaders so that the new army
may escape them and the new system pro-
vide proper coordination of the material
efficiency of the nation as well as of its
magnificent manpower.
"HENRY J. ALLEN. Governor"