Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-06-01
INSIDE FACTS ON
WAR GIVEN BY
FRENCH WRITER
tFoch's Battle by NJ. Recouly,
Shows Problems Allied
Chiefs Had to Solve.

PARIS, June 1.-The revelation that
Gen. Pershing frequently clashed with
Marshal Foch, and insisted that his
views regarding the activities of the
American army in France be respected,
is contained in the new book, "Foch' S
Battle" by Raymond Recouly, noted
military writer.
NJ. Recouly was given access to French
official documents for the compilation Of
his book and the contents may be ac-
copied as authentic.
The book discloses also that at the
Senlis conference in November 1918,
when the military terms of the armistice
were being drawn up Marshal Haig, com
mander of the British army, suggested
milder conditions than those subsequently
agreed upon.
Gen. Pershing supported Marshal Foch
and Marshal Petain, who contended that
Gc~manv was not vet completely beaten.
The result was more drastic terms for
Germany, including occupation of the
Rhine bridgeheads.
Following a series of minor incidents,
NJ. Recouly reports that in the midst OF
the Argonne battle two American gen
erals visited Marshal Foch and Informed
him that considerable LOSSES were be-
ing sustained by the Americans.
PERSHING WINS
ANOTHER POINT.
Marshal Foch was asked if he did not
wish to change his plans in view Of the
gravity of the American casualties.
The generalissimo replied that he did
not.
Relieving that the Franco-American Of
fensive was not progressing satisfactor-
lily, Marshal Foch sent Marshal Petain
to regulate the details.
Gen. Pershing Immediately called upon
Marshal Foch and informed him that be
(Pershing) wished to receive orders
only from Foch himself, like the other
commanders Of the allied armies in
France.
The generalissimo yelled to Gen. Persn-
ing,s wishes in the matter.
On Aug. 81, ll91s says NJ Recouly. Gen
Pershing notified Marshal Foch that be
could not adhere to the generalissino'
plan for the attack at st. Mihiel to be
Immediately followed by the offensive IN
the Argonne. since such q double cam
paign implied dispersion Of American
units.
Gen. Pershing contended thst he must
abandon either the st. Mihiel assault or
the Argonne attack.
lie declared 1t was for Marshal Foch
( to decide which Snouid De given up o"e
in any event the United states army
must not be split UP. but must be used
as a unit.
DETERMINED on
ST. MIHIEL ATTACK.
Marshal sFoch replied that the Argonne
attack must be carried out even II the
attack against the German salient at 81.
Mihlel was abandoned.
IL was finally agreed that eight or ten
American divisions should attack at 1T.
Nfihiel while the American army should
be used as a unit in the offensive In the
Argonne north OF Ferdun) as Gen
Pershing desired
NJ Recouly freely admits that the
Americans on the Argonne front with
the French at their left faced the most
difficult task that confronted any OF the
allied armies in the final advance OF the
war because they were opposed TO the
pivot OF German resistance.
/ NJ Recouly recounted some OF the OBJ
( stacles before the Americans, but says
( that. even II the doughboys were un-
/ skilled in the science Of warfare, they
/ always desired to go ahead and were de-
/ termlned to advance against any odds