Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1919-02-21
TRAUB OF 35TH GIVES
HIGH PRAISE TO MEN
General. Leading Missouri and Kan.
s,s Guardsmen. Says There was
Never Finer Body OF Troops.
DENIES CHARGES OF ALLEN
Admits some Deficiencies But Insists
soldiers We're Given Adequate
Protection In Fight.

WASHINGTON, Feb 2O--A
dramatic recital OF the fighting of
the 3Jth tkansas and Missouri ma.
lonal guard) division In the great
battle of tho Argonne was given the
house rules committee today by Mai
Gen Peter T.. Traub. the division
commander, who himself was twice
rass,d in the battle.
Appearing to deny charges OF the
needless sacrifice OF men made by
Governor Allen OF Kansas. General
rraub described with great pride the
work OF his troops from the misty
septom ber morning when they went
aver the top until they had driven
4he Germans back nearly six miles
siier SIX days and nights OF almost
nccssant fighting over the most
strongly fortified sectlon OF the west
ern front.
Praises Soldiers.
Fresh from France, tho general
still was suffering from the effects of
gas his two experiences In the Ar
gonnc being his firth in the war, and
he frequently had to interrupt his
recital 10 drink water. When his
voice refused to give emphasis to HE
words he pounded tho table beside
him to further drive home his praise
OF the soldiers II was his honor to
Command
For six days and nights" said the
general. I'VE fought the best the
bochc had. We penetrated the lines
for five and half miles took 1000
prisoners and captured "a pieces OF
field artillery and t5 machine guns
We fought In the open and we los,
500 Killed and $500 wounded, tho
great majority OF the latter being
hurt but slightly. Never was there
finer body OF men than those
had tho honor to command. They
we're wonderful lot. who only asked
10 know what was wanted, and they
did Il and did " we'll"
General Traub told the committee
that the first task OF h.s men. after
"umpIng OFF, was tho capture OF a
hill, which had everything in the way
Of defense which the Germans could
build and one that the French had
been up against for four years" The
S5th. the general said. took this
strongly fortified position In three
hours after vicious hand-to-hand
fighting.
Given Best OF Care.
The wounded received the hes,
care and the first consideration, GEM
eral Traub told the committee. He
said the 1000 wounded passing
through the field station OF the 35tb
division. we're hurried TO the rear by
mpreSsing into service every truck
ot every description, but because OF
The "devllish fire. OF the Germans
hey could he moved only at night
One main road served the whole
army corps, and at one time Il re-
Quired As hours to build road
around crater caused by a German
shell. and 10 days to bridge II.
Arplanes appeared on call, and
flew over the German lines, the gen
eral said. A shortage OF horses was
admitted. but the officer declared
here was always artillery support.
Only half dozen shells from tho
American artillery fell in It's lines,
but IN this connection, the general
asked to be permitted to refrain
from comment on French artillery
with the division.
Representative Campbell OF Kan
Ns pointed out that criticism had
not been made of the officers or
men, nut OF the lack OF material.
Not Well Founded.
, That ts not well founded" ans
wered the general. In the daytime
during the battle General Traub said
mat one might look over the battle
dleid and hardly see soldier be-
cause they were hidden in the ground
10 escape the fire OF the Germans.
The boche never hesitated 10
waste hundreds OF shells on a single
indiVidual," he declared. He knew
MS business and did 1t we'll"
In reply to a question OF Repre-
sentative Campbell why the soldiers
N the battle were without their blan-
kes, General Traub said that these
and all other unnecessary equip
ment were removed when a soldier
entered "a battle.
Governor Allen was not at tho
'front.'. General Traube said, but he
arterward modified his statement,
seNng he had an impression that the
Kansas governor was seen by him
the Triage. Several days before
me beginning of the battle, General
dTauoe said, he had sent the Y. NJ.
a. workers. including Mr.. Allen,
70