New-York tribune., 1919-09-10
erslnin+g; z; W ent
To F'0cll With
Offer of Army
American Communicative
Through Deep Mud at
Dawn to Put Americans at
Orders Of French General

Details of the historic conference
between General Pershing and Marshal
foch. then general. at which the
American commander offered to throw
n American troops with the French
and British to stem the second German
crlve on Paris. were revealed accident
ally as Che lst Division headquarters
n the Wa /brf-Astoria yesterday.
General Pershing repeatedly has re-
,used to discuss the conference. and
only the most meagre reports were
cabied TO America
News Of the resumption Of the Ger
man offensive had reached general
headquarters OF the American army at
Chaumont and General Pershing de-
voted night and day to receiving re-
ports on the German advance. On the
second day Of the drive General Per-
sngg telephoned to the headquarters
OF tie French command asking if it
would be possible for Generals Pctain
and Foch to confer with him. Both
French generals sent back word that
they were involved in their plans for
defence and that it would be impossible
for them TO leave at that time.
Got Message at Dawn
This message was received by Per-
shing at dawn. March p. He immedi-
ately set out in all automobile. accom-
panied by one aid, and a French liason
officer, and drove 220 kilometres to
Compiegnc, near which the French
command was quartered III chateau
The roads were deep with mud and
heavy fog made progress difficult, but
the distance was covered before night
ARRIVING at Compiegne inquiries were
made as to the location Of the chateau
occupied by Petain and Foch. No one
seemed to know the way or else were
unwilling to direct the Americans
Finally, after considerable delay, the
American car brought up before the
iron gates of an early fifteenth century
chateau. The French sentinels talked
volubly with the French laison officer.
The possibilities Of the party seeing
the French commanders we're discussed
and doubted by the Frenchmen. While
the talk was going on General Per-
shing, looking through an aperture be-
tween the trees which surrounded the
chateau, saw General Foch walking on
a little gravel path beside the house
He jumped out of the automobile and
walked up to the French general.
Overcamc All Handicaps
General Porshing does not talk
French we'll. Foch does not know Eng
lish. There was a period OF silence af-
ter Pcrshing had made himself known.
The French liaison officer, who by this
time had gained admittance, advanced
to act as interpreter, but Pershing did
not need him. He vas talking French
as he never talked it beftr~ and never
has since. Those who heard tim say he
was almost letter perfect. lio sub
stance of his remarks has been pIirted
time and again. The actual text of lis
speech never will be known, as it was
never recorded
Foch, surprised and moved, was able
to say little. He took Pershing by the
arm and led him to a little garden be.
hind the chateau, where Cleme nceau
and Petain were seated, bending over
military maps. Americas offer wa,
communicated to them. Clemenceau
inquired if he was at liberty to advise
the Paris press of Americas tender o.
troops. He spoke of the need of stim-
ulating the national morale.
Pershing gave the required permits
sion, and the wires soon were carrying
the news around the world.
A few days later the Sd Division Of
the American army made history al
Chateau Thielry and the I'd Division
at Belleau Wood. On March % came
the 1st Divisions attack at Cantigny
Soon afterward the Allies, for the first
time in the war, were on the offensive