Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-13
WORLD cONE|CT GAVE
new PJNER TO CAUSE
Major Discusses Vital Part Played
by Highways During the
War.
CITES HIGHWAYS OF FRANCE
Asserts Allbs Would Have Been De-
, featcd lad 1t Not Been for
Marvellous Road System About
Paris.

The vita part Played by good roads
In the void war has given new power
to the Cause OF roads. But for the
roads OF France. prepared and per-
menced. The allies would have lost the
war. Fist. In 1914 the marvellous road
system shout Paris made possible that
midnigh mobilization Of new army
as every one knows, just in time to
turn the tide of the first battle of the
Marine. Again in 1916. in the greatest
battle of the war and perhaps Of the
world. at Verdun, one road saved
France. without which all her mag
nihcent courage would have been spent
Verdun front. During. the entire
period OF these Dreadful six months
this road was never closed. 1t is said
that General Petain ordered the death
penalty on whomsoever should be re-
sponsible for the interruption OF the
trafiic on this road. a famous French
engineer was charged with keeping it
an army OF men at intervals along the
whole way; they never stopped, never
siept as long as there was work TO do.
great holes were torn out. motor lor-
Tics were disabled or stalled only 10
DC dynamited away, masses OF men
were killed. but always the gap closed
up. repairs were made regarf.ess OF
the hall Of death, and that great pro-
cession moved on without ceasing An
hours delay in that immense line OF
men and munitions of food and shells.
meant the losing of Verdun and vic
tory; On account OF this the Ncrdun
road has become almost sacred to the
chsmin dor" or the golden way.
The railroads of France. as good
AS as they we're couid hardly move
much less those of her allies.
me principal means OF transpor-
taNon. especially near the front. was
tor vehicles. Of course. depended on
ioans America, with her armies
largely motorized. owes a great debt
70 the roads of France. To our forces
tncse roads meant an earlier ending
%! the war with the consequent saving
or thousands on thousands of our
young men. During. the closing days
OF me war. by use OF motor transports
ana by marching over good roads the
american command was able 10 move
frequently In single night as many
as 'oo'Vu" men an average distance OF
twenty miles. This quick maneuver-
ing OF vast armies completely upsc,
inc EeIman plans. So 1t was out oil
gratitude FOR such roads tina, General
le!shing after the armistice ordered
ABOUT 10000 Of the american enginec,
troops 70 proceed TO assist France in
repairing road damages done by IN.
war. this work to be free of cost tc
Inc French government BY using
FRENCH roads. the allies We're able &c
movs a corps Of artillery further i,
one night than Napoleon did in week
BY using French roads England wa:
able TO transport her desperateI,
wounded mes all the way from the
battle front TO the great London hos
piiais in about six hours.
France had the advantage OF us II
getting started right on the road,
question. Her hrst roads man cam.
without Invitation. Caesar conoueret
Gaul tnow France). and straightwa,
began 10 build some wonderful high
ways like those which led out from
Rome. After the Romans went away
France pro!iied by this lesson from
her Connueror. and continued the goo,
work. They cndeavored even then I,
build permanently, not roads for
generation or two. but for all time