South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-01-11
GEN. PERSHING
DENIES CHARGE
OF U.S.. OFFICER
Army Commander Explains
ArmiStiCe Day Killings in
Letter to Congressman.
STATEMENTS WERE ERRONEOUS

By Associated Press:
WASHINGTON. Jan. 1O.-Charges
made before a house war invostigat-
ing committee that lives of Ameri-
can soldiers were wasted i'm need
less attacks ON Armistice day are
denied i'm a letter from Gen. Perish
ing made public Saturday by Rep
Fuller. republican of Massachusetts
Gen. Pershins said the American
forces were acting under general in
structions issued by Marshal Foch
tu all allied commanders ON Nov.
@. 1918. and that orders for attacks
were Withdrawn as soon as possible
after he was advised Of the signing
of the armistice He also said state
ments that American troops were
ordered 10 the attack while French
divisions remained stationary were
wholly erroneous"
Explains Letter.
The generals letter is dated Nov.
81, 1919, and is i'm reply TO charges
contained i'm a letter 10 Mr.. Fuller
from Capt George X. Livermore of
Winchester. Mass. formerly opera
tions officer OF the 10th field artil-
lery brigade of the 92nd Cnegro)
division. Mr.. Fuller explained that
he made the letter public in view of
statements recently made before the
investigating committee ny Brig.
G n. Sherburne. commanding the
artillery division of the 92ud divi-
sion. about which much OF the con
troversy regarding Armistice day
losses has conferred.
The letter follows
81 had no knowledge before a.
NJ. Nov. II, that the armistice had
been signed and that firing was to
cease az II a. M, Nov. II.
eth armistice, effective at II a.
m, Nov. IL. was not signed until 3
a. m, Nov n, hence the informa-
tion which Capt Livermore states
he received about midnight of Nov.
I O, was only a rumor although that
rumor proved to be correct
False RumOrs.
For several days prior 10 Nov.
II. false rumors o. the signing of
an armistice were revalent on all
the armies. You may recall that at
least one Of these rumors even
reached the United States and that
Nov. :, 1 think. was made a day of
celebration on account OF q false re-
port.
All armies took steps TO correct
| these rumors and at $40 p. m. Nov.
Q. the following telegram was re-
ceived 10y me from Marshal FOch:
The enemy. disorganized by our
repeated attacks. is Withdrawing
along the whole front 1t is impor-
tant 10 maintain and hasten our ac-
ton. I appeal 10 the energy and ini-
tiative of the commanders in chief
and their armies to secure results.
All OF the allied commanders
received similar kilograms from
Marshal Foch
Firing Continued.
Neither British nor French
headquarters ordered firing to cease
prior 20 the going into effect e. the
armistice. that is. at n g. M. Nov
II. and in general firing 10y an the
allies and 10y the enemy continued
on the whole front from Switzerland
20 the sea until that hour. In places
the firing died away prior 10 II a.
IN. and in few places firing con
tinued until after that hour.
The 92nd division. astride the
Moselle. attacked at a. M. Nov. 10.
and at a. m. Nov. II. advanced
short distance but the troops had
retired 10 cover i'm the face of re-
peated heavy fire when the com
mandar of the attacking brigade re-
ceived information at 7;1S a. m
/ that an armistice win be effective
at II a IN. The brigade commands
.,o>Tr<r-rD M p,cr ,or-r