Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-07-31
STRATEGIC PHASES
OF THE World WAR
General Maurice, Colonel de
Chambrun and Others Dis.
cuss Americas Participation

The American Army in the Euro
pcan Conflict" is very important war
book. We have had numerous views Of
| the participation of the United states
| in the war from our own native and
national standpoint. Some of the Brit
ish commentators and historical and
military writer's have viewed our par
tcipation from au Anglo Saxon slant,
but in the main casually. This book
by two Frcnchmcn. who had combat,
staff and liaison experience. Colonel de
Chambrun. who Is. we mistake not. Il
lincal descendant Of Lafayette, and Cap
tain dc Marcnches, is devoted entirely
10 America and its military part in the
war. Both officers knew the war from
personal sharing in its hardships and
hazards. They were attached by the
French Government TO General Per
shings staff, and so their knowledge of
the achievements Of the American army
In France is based on intimate expert
rncr and close up observation. They
are generous in their attitude. but not
uncritical of mistakes. They have the
Gallic sense of appreciation and graft
| tudc. but also the trained military
mans understanding. So when they
nraisr their words are worth while. and
| when they criticize their words are
/ NVllI ll'Nu'hS'
Their book. in its French edition. has
| been made required reading in the pub
lie schools Of France. u singular tribute
of affection and admiration. Another
! interesting fact about it is that the
/ translation into English has been made
| bv tho authors. who write directly,
CrispIy and attraCtivelv. with an oc
casional nice touch of Gallic idiom.
, Their book opens with chapter on
tho declaration Of war and universal
military service. after which there are
| taken up among other topiCs the fol-
lowing; The arrival Of General Per-
shing in France. the first appearance
of American contingcnts on the French
front. the participation. OF American
forces in the spring defensive and IN
the summer counter offensive OF l'lH;
the American army during the general
offensive, September to November,
101S: the part taken by American
units at the British front, the various
American benevolent aSSociations-th
Red Cross. tho Y. NJ. c. A.. the
knights of Columbus. the Salvation
Army, the American Library Associa-
ton, the Jewish welfare board and the
~. W. C. 4. There is concluding
chapter on Franco American eo-opcra-
tion.
General Sir +. Maurice. formerly
director Of operations of the British
army. has written an Illuminating
book. The Last Four Months-iow
the War Was Won" He is both COM
prehensivc in covering material and con-
else in handling it. He explains the
need Of unity of command and the later
recognition Of il in the designation of
Foch as genPralissimo. and then dis
cusses with real authoritativenoss. with
fair minded distribution Of credit to the
various forces involved and with sharp
military criticism the second battle OF
the Marne. which he calls in his chap
t"~ h",di''~ "P~nparation for Armagcd-
dom" the Gourand campaign in
nampagnr. the American battle OF the
Meuse- -Argonne ("the American left hed
to force its way forward through nine
miles of the most difficult country on
the western 'front.' "Ludendorff Tries
to Rally" and The Last Push. y Gen
eral Maurice writes in no partisan or
parochial patriotic spirit in his cvalua-
tionS of the Allied triumph. lie pays
profound tribute to Foch as man and
marshal. He answers the question,
Who won the war? by: Most of u.