The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1920-01-09

Washington.-The final report of
Gen. John J. PerShing as commander
In chief of the American expedtonary
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.
"lt was this spirit of determination
anmating 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
carly history of the American eXpe-
dictionary 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
1e14-Although the German drive
of 1914 had failed in its immediate
purpose, yet her armies had made
very important gains, German forces
We're in complete possession of Bel
GUM and occupied rich industrial re
giuns of northern France, embracing
one-fourteenth of her population and
about three fourth> of her coal and
iron. The German armies held a
strongly fortified line 46S miles in
length stretching from the Swiss
border to Newport on the English
channel her troops We're within forty
eight miles of Paris and the initiative
remained in German hands.
In the east the rapidity of the Rus
sian mobilization forced Germany,
even before the battle of Marine TO
send troops to that frontier but the
close of 1911 found the Russian arm
los 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.
te15-Italy joined the allies In May
and gave their cause new strength.
hut 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 a defensive attitude on the west
ern front German arms achieved a
striking series of successes in the Vicn-
ity of the Mazurian lakes and in
Gaiicia. capturing Warsaw. BreSt-Li-
tovsk and Wilma. The central powers
oVcrrau Serbia and Montenegro Mean
while the Italian armies forced Aus
tria T." 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 "hiectiNc> were limited and the
effect was local. The DardanclleS eX-
pcdition. having failed in its mission.
was withdrawn in January. In Meso-
potama the allied operations had not
been slcccS~fuI Although the British
fleet had established its superiority ON
tho sea. yet The German submarine
blockade had developed into II serious
menace Ia allied shipping.
Russia Still Powerful.
1916 Germany no doubt believed
that her advantage on the eastern
front at ,he close of 1918 again war
ranted an offensive in the west, and
her attack against Nerdun was ac-
curdingly launched in the spring of
1916. But Russia was not Yet beaten,
and early in June, aided az the snlnc
time by the threat of an Italian often
si,e in the west. she began the great
drive in Galicia that proved 50 dis
astrous to Austria.
Roumania, having entered on the
side oI the allies. undertook promS-
ing Offensive against Austria. The Brit
ish and French armies attacked along
the sommc. Germany quickly returned
to tire defensive in the west. ana in
September initiated campaign in The
east which. before the close Of 1918.
proved unfortunate for Russia as well
as RoumanIa.
Spring OF te17-Retsiniu9 al the
eastern front the forces considered
sufficient for The final conquest of Rus
Gin. Germany prepared TO aid Austria
IN an offensive against Italy Mean