Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-01-30
Continued from last Wcck..,
Raised Delicate Questions.

"a'SC0 CCbCdkC 0UeSLioNS.
The various proposals during these
conferences regarding priority OF ship
ment. often very inSistcnt. raised uues.
tons that were not only most difficult
but most delicate. On the one hand,
there was n critical situation which
must be met by immediate action,
while, on the other hand, any priority
accorded particular arm necessarily
postponed the formation Of a distinc-
tive American fighting force and the
means TO supply it. Such force was,
in my opinion. absolutely necessary to
win the war. A few OF the allied ron
rcsentatircs became convinced that The
American services of supply should not
he neglected hut should be developed,
in the common interest. The Success
Of our divisions during May anu June
demonstrated fully that It was not
necessary TO draft Americans under
foreign flags In order to utilize Amer
lean manhood most effectively.
When. on March 81. 1918. the Ger
man army on the western front began
its series of otIcnsiveS. it was 10y far
the most Formidable force. the world
had ever seen. In fighting men ard
guns II had Il great superiority. but
this was Of less importance than the
advantage in morale. In experience. in
training for mobile warfare and in
unity Of command. Ever since the COL
lapse OF the Russian armies and the
crisis on the Italian front in the fall
OF 1917. German armies were being as
sembled and trained for the great cam
Eaicn which was TO end the war before
Americas effort could be brought 10
bear. GcrInany'S best troops, her most
successful generals and all the expert
ence gained I'm three years OF war were
modified for the supreme effort.
The first blow fell on the right Of
the British armies. including the june
ton Of the British and French forces.
Only the prompt cooperation of the
French and British general hcadquar-
tiers Stemmed the tide. The renson for
this objective was obvious. and strik-
ingly illustrated the necessity for hav-
Ing some one with sufficient authority
over all the allied armies to meet such
All emergency.
Reserves Were Lacking.
The lack Of complete cooperation
among the allies on the western front
had been appreciated and the question
OF preparation To meet crisis had
already received attention by the SUI
premc war council. a plan hali been
adopted by which each OF the allies
wnlilI furt,isl, fs,ip Ian .,f
visions for Il general reserve 10 be I'M
der tho direction of the military repre-
Scntativcs of the supreme war council.
Of which Gen. Foch was then the
senior member. But. when the time
came To meet the German offensive in
March these reserves were not found
availablc ana the plan failed
Tie situation resulted in IL con-
ference FOR the immediate considcra-
ton OF the question Of having an al
lied commander In chief. After much
discussion, during which my view IA
vorin@ such action was clearly stated,
an agreement was reached and Gen
cral FOch was selected. His appoint
mcnt rs such WAS made April > and
was approved for the United States
ny the president on April 1G.
The grave crisis prccipitatrd by the
first German offensive caused me 10
make II hurried visit to General FOch's
headquarters at Bombon, during which
oil our cOmbatant forces were placed
Mt his disposal. The acceptance Of
this offer meant the dispersion OF our
troops along the allied front and n
consequent delay in building W dis
tinc;ivc American force in Lorraine.
but the serious situation Of The allies
demanded This divergence from our
plans.
On March Il npproxiiDatcly 300 900
American troops had reached France.
-Four combat divisions, equivalent in
strength TO eight French or British
divisions. were available,
Took Cantigny Heights.
On April % the First division re-
licvcd two French divisions on the
front fear MOntdidIcr and on May %
captured the important observation
with splendid dash. French artillery.
aviation, tanks and fame throwcrs
aided in the attack. hut Inost of This
French assistance vas Withdrawn he
fore tlie completion OF the operation
in order TO meet the CnCny'S new Of
fcnsivc launched May % To- Chateau
- . a.s ally s,ro,1. 80