Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-27
ME statements of Col. F. l..
Huidekoper before the House
subcommittee to the effect that
the organization of the Ameri-

ME statements OF SOi. r. -
Huidekoper before the House
subcommittee to the effect that
the organization of the Ameri-
can armies, both in the United States
and in France. was not complete and al
times failed to function properly, seems
on its face quite within the range OF
possibilities and certainly worthy of the
most serious consideration. Col. Huide-
keper was adjutant general OF the $50
Division, and therefore in an excellent
position to observe the operation OF at
least that one division. Reports OF the
courage of the men. decorations fol
gallantry in action. reports of the
wonderful endurance of men and officers
under fire add to the glory of the Ameri-
can soldier: but. unless the other side
be judiCially examined, again will the
American people be misled into the
belief that Americans are soldierly race
so wonderful that they can safely neg
lect all reasonable precautions and the
observance of ordinary common sense.
AS a direct result of the failure to
prepare for the war. which for months
clear-sighted persons saw to be in
evitable, April !. 1917, found the War
Department unready in nearly all re-
Spects. Its own organization was on a
peace basis under a system that all
progressive military nations had ADAM
doned long ago. Outside the Regular
Army and the few thousand less-per-
fectiy trained National Guard officers,
the Army had to depend for its line
officers upon ha stily drilled young men
of excellent character and ability, but
wholly lacking in military experience.
National Guard personnel comprised a
little more than one-half OF the $50
Division. and not more than half of
them had been in the guard before the
war broke out. Their artillery and ma
chine gunners were practically without
training or experience before the di-
vision was formed. Does any sane per-
son suppose that troops SO organized
We're equal in organization to the Ger
man veteran troops that they defeated?
1t is all the more to the credit of the
men and their officers that they accom-
plished as much as they did: but that
they did it in the best manner, without
unnecessary loSS-and there is the pity
of it's beyond the range of possibili-
ties.
Officers of the higher command in the
division were serving in grades far
above their previous experience, and
with green troops could not be expected
to preserve their laiSon in the same
finished way that the veterans of four
years service maintained theirs. Records
y
of the 35th Division have not been re-
ceived in this country, and no one can
tell how many such records are lying
somewhere in the bottom of the box.
Therefore Col Huidekoper seems to
be well within bounds when he told the
committee that the War Department
shipped aplbulances for the use of the
esd in France to Texas instead of Ho-
boken; that, while there was need of
the closest cooperation and liaison be-
tween artillery and infantry in action.
the artillery, although it had been in
training with the division, was not used
sufficiently in action. He cited difficult
ties in the higher command as between
the americans and the British in regard
TO the support of the British, with whom
ton, he said that the SD would not
have survived four months longer in a
fighting capacity unless it received ad-
ditional motor trucks and there had
been change of methods.
Col. Huidekoper, who is we'll known
as military writer, told in the course
of his long hearing many more instances
of similar import in other branches of
the service. He is not a pessimist; he
is not saying II told you So" although
in his books he had given the warning
The point Is that an Army cannot be
prepared overnight, even though, to
quote the former apostle of peace, a
million men would spring to arms over
night.
The United States today, it is de-
clared. is in position where it has not
the force, unless it calls in the regular
divisions just back from France, to take
active measures against Mexico on an
adequate scale.
The message from the President rec
ommending that Congress authorize the
appointment
General Promotions Of G e n.
Now in Controversy. and CEN
March to be full generals has brought
to public issue an unpleasant feeling
which has arisen between Congress and
the present chief Of staff. Doubtless
many points Of friction between the leg
islative body and the dominant power
of the War Department have arisen.
During the war it was inevitable that
the people on the Hill'' should yield
to the will of the War Department Now
it is different; and the natural reaction
brings about a feeling of hostility to
the strong man who forced-sometimes
ruthlessly-upon the War Department
the organization which it lacked until he
wholesome job.
Gen. Cocktails, when he took charge
of the supply department., in order to
secure results, removed the head OF
every division except in the case of Col.
J. S. Fair chief of the remount service,
and thereby brought upon himself the
enmity Of many not only in the Army.
but in high places. both in Congress and
in Army administration. 1t is realized
that he was without mercy or considera-
ton where the question of results for
the Army was concerned. Gen. Goethals.
acting under the promise. or condition,
that he should be unhampered in his
Office, did accomplish little less than
the miracle in procuring and forwarding
supplies and equipment. besides trans
porting an Army to France. He was
experienced and wise. He retired from
office as soon as he could after the sign
ing Of the armistice, and escaped the
adverse criticism which he knew was