Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-09
Problems Still Momentous.

Problems Still Momentous.
"Our problems today are Just as
momentous as they were before we
entered the war. And 1 hope we may
have the wisdom to learn some les
sons from the experiences Of our
immediate past. Let US never forget
that no nation is the sole arbitef of
its own destiny.
zone of the interesting sidelights
on the st. Mihiel battle shows the
Importance Of having a section Of
military Intelligence in the staff Of
asserted about the I'd or 3D. Of Sep
TENDER IN a public restaurant in Paris
that the American Army was to
launch a drive at the st. Mihiel salient
on September 10. This public an
American general headquarters at
Chaumont. I understand Gen. Per-
shing protested to the French high
command. On account of the public
way in which the statement was made
the American officers felt that the
Germans. Everybody knew that spies
abounded everywhere. Something must
be done to throw the enemy OF the
track
1.-THE military attache in one Of the
neutral countries was hastily sum-
was given plans that had been hastily
prepared for an attack near Belfort.
where there had been sporadic fight
ing in the early days Of the war.
OF course. such an attack was not
intended to be carried out One Of
our brigadier generals, in all serious
ness, was detailed to take command
Of the forces that were to mako this
strategic move.
tache returned to his station and took
the younger officers of the service,
who were operating under him, into
his confidence. Subsequently one Of
them went to q well known cafe
where large numbers Of German spies
a seat among group OF suspected
eavesdroppers. The young man sudden
" excused himself, from those with
whom he had been spiritedly chatting.
ments Incidentally. he let the plans
for the attack near Belfort drop out
Of his pocket.
"In q few moments he returned ap-
parently greatly excited. He was
feeling his clothing and announced
paper at the time that he arose to
leave and wanted to know II anybody
had seen 1t. All answered in the
negative. Then the young man began
to tell how important that paper was
to his future welfare; that he must
did not do SO he would undoubtedly
be court-matrtialed and disgraced. He
must find that paper-and rushed
away from the crowd in greatly
agitated condition.
He must have played his part we'll.
For in q remarkably short time four
German divisions appeared in the
rinsn ~ n
Americans. In the meantime the bat
tie of St. Mihiel had begun on the
18th Of September instead of the 10th.
So that not only did the Americans
display great valor and skill on the
field Of battle, but they showed the
enemies, that they knew something
about military strategy.
Proposed Alliance.
There was much interest manifest
ed and considerable surprise express
ed at the announcement of President
Wilson that he would recommend to
the Senate that q treaty Of alliance
should be entered into between tho
United States and the republic Of
Many Frenchmen Of prominenoe asked
me what I thought Of the prospect
for such an alliance. told them
frankly that our country had from its
birth avoided foreign alliances and I
did not believe that a majority Of my
countrymen would countenance such
treaties now or at any time in tho
future. I am still Of the opinion that
America will never ratify such
treaties. But have thought con.
stantly that tho nero announcement
by the President that he would ask
for such treaties was q tacit acknowl-
edg1nent on his part that the league Of
nations was not altogether a depend
Europe, and I believe most thinking
mon and women in America, know
that the league will not prevent war;
In fact, many publicists and thinkers
believe it will, II anything, tend to
bring about wars more frequently.
1--WE know that Europe is a hell
hole Of political plotting and intrigue.
We know that the statesmen Of one
country lie awake at night planning
and plotting to get an advantage for
their country over some rival coun-
try. We know Of their jealousies,
their rivalries, their hatreds The
league Of nations 10 not going to alter
the human emotions Of people who
for centuries have nursed and cher
ished hatreds and jealousies that all
too frequently in the past have led to
bitter warfare.
Let us get out Of Europe as speed :
lily as possible. Let US return to the