Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1920-01-02
GENERAL PERSHINC'S OWN STORY
OF OPERATIONS OF AMERICAN
TROOPS DURING THE WORLD WAR
Commander in Chief of Expedtonary Forces Submits
Special Report to Secretary Baker-Fate of
Central Powers Decided by Work of
the United States Army.

Washington.-Th final report of
( Gen. John J. Pershing as commander
in chief of the American expeditionary
/ forces in Europe was made public by
the secretary of war. Gen. Pershing
says In effect, although not in terms.
that the American army won the war.
1T was this spirit of determination
animating every American soldier"
says General Pershing, referring to the
Meuse-Argonne battle, that made it
impossible for the enemy to maintain
the struggle until 1919"
The report in its more important de-
tails is as follows:
In order that the reasons for many
important decisions reached in the
early history of the American expe-
ditionary forces may be more clearly
understood and the true value Of the
American effort more fully appreci-
ated, it is desirable to have in mind
the main events leading up to the
time of our entry into the war.
1914-Although the German drive
of 1914 had failed In It's immediate
purpose, yet her armies had made
very important gains. German forces
were In complete posSeSStnn Of Bel
gium and occupied rich industrial re
gions Of northern France. embracing
one-fourteenth ~ tier population and
about three-four'h> ~ her coal and
iron. The German armies held a
strongly fortified line 46S miles In
length. stretchnz frnIn Fhe Swiss
border to Nieupnri sh che English
channel; her troops were MiIliin forty
eight miles of PARIS and The initiative
remained In German hands.
In the east the rapldity Of the Rus
sian mobilization forced Germany.
even before the battle Of Marne. to
send troops to that frontier, but the
close OF 1914 found the Russian arm
les elected from East Prussia and
driven back on Warsaw.
The entry of Turkey into the war,
because of the moral effect upon the
Moslem world and the immediate con-
slant threat created against allied
communications with the Far East.
led to an effort by the allies In the
direction of the Dardanelles.
Allies Helped by Italy.
1et5-Italy joined the allies in May /
and gave their cause new strength. /
but the effect was more or less offset /
when Bulgaria entered on the side OF /
the central powers.
The threatening situation on the /
Russian front and in the Balkans was
still such that Germany was compelled
to exert an immediate offensive effort
in those directions and to maintain
only defensive attitude on the west
ern front. German arms achieved q
striking series of successes in the vicin-
ity of the Mazurian lakes and in
Galicia. capturing Warsaw, Brest-Ll-
tOvsk and Wilma. The central powers
overran Serbia and Montenegro. Mean
while the Italian armies forced Aus
tr;a to use approximately one-half her
strength against them.
In the west the French and Brit
Ish launched offensives which cost the
German armies considerable loss; but
the detectives were limited and the
effect was local. The Dardanelles ex-
peditlon, having failed ia Its mission.
was withdrawn in January. In Meso-
1otamia the allied operations had not
,een successful. Although the British
ieet had established its superiority on
he sea. yet the German submarine
blockade had developed into a serious
menace to allied shipping.
Russia Still Powerful.
1sfe-Germany no doubt believed
hat her advantage on the eastern
ront at the close Of 1915 again war
anted an offensive in the west, and
er attack against yerduD was ae-
ordingly launched In the spring OF
GIG. But Russia was not yet beaten.
nd early in June. slded at the same
ime by the threat OF an Italian often
i've in the west. site began the great
rive in Galicia that proved so dis
strous 10 Austria.
Roumania, having entered on ths ,
de of the allies. undertook promis- 5
lg offensive against Austria. The Brit :
IN and French armies attacked along 9
ie Somme. Germany quickly returned =
, the defensive in the west, and in a
eptember initiated a campaign in the @
lst which, before the close of 1916, 4
roved unfortunate for Russia as well a
! Roumania. Il
Spring of 1ef7--Retaining on the ?
lstern front the forces considered .
Efficient for the fnal conquest of Rus
a, Germany prepared to aid Austria +,
an offensive against Italy. Mean