South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-04-22


President Wilson never left my
office. and never Left white
house conference during the war
years. without the reflection shaping
itself in my mind that the world
had lost a great military leader
when it gained a great educator and
executive.
IL was President Wilson. who, be-
fore we entered the war. saw that
the only hope Of the allies lay in
achieving unity OF command.
IL was President Wilson who ad-
vOCated this policy when we gained
the right 10 "a voice IN the military
councils or those who were tghtins
the central empires.
II was Presidenc Wilson who re-
sisted the strong urging Of some OK
his American advisors and Of the
British and French military author
tiles. 20 permit our American sol
diers 20 be used merely as replace
ment troops for the allied armies.
IL was President Wilson who in
sisted that the American forces must
be organized "a American army
units. under American command
and who sustained Gen. Pershing in
carrying this policy into effect at
the earliest possible moment
1t was President Wilson who con-
tended that America must be in
position on land and water TO carry
the war through to victory, even If
the allies were forced 20 abandon IT,
stay Through Till Victory.
This extreme possibility he envis-
aged. and when we entered the war
ne had resolved in his soul that
whatever might befau Great Britain,
France. italy. or Japan. the United
states would stick until autocracy
was beaten. Ii was this resolute
purpose which made his leadership
On inspiring 10 those OF US who serv-
cd with him through days which
were always anxious and not in
frequently discouraging.
In matters enecting the navy ne
was as wise and as forceful as in
military matters.
lie saw at once the vital impor-
lance Of making egress for the u
boat difficult if not impossible. If
90 was not practicable 20 go into the
rat holes and kill all the rats. the
same end might be attained by stop
ping the holes up. or falling even
that by setting traps so thickly
around the holes that rats attempt
ing to- get by would run serious peril
Of being caught.
Wilson's Genius I'm War.
Newton Baker could tell many an
incident to- illustrate the almost in
spired genius Of Woodrow Wilson in
dealing with army problems. l have
no doubt ne will some day. Natur-
atv ann more familiar with his
.ogift or strategy as displayed i'm the
solving of naval problems. Before
relate some incidents from my own
experience which throw light upon
This phase Of the former president
,uanv-sided character, I want TO
outline more fully the general stu
otton and circumstances which form
,be basiz for the assertions 1 have
made concerning his military lead
ership in the opening paraprahs OF
this article.
Almost immediately following our
declaration OF war we began near
,,p from Great Britain and France
suggestions a. 20 the wise course Tor
rs 20 nursue in such armed help as
Ne might be able TO give
obviously we had no ready-made'
,-,{ped and disciplined army TO send
o,-ersea sat least not OF such
strength az to be a considerable fac
cor i'm the situation It was not UNI
rafural nor wholly unreasonable
.r,t the allies should suggest the
$50 nlan for us TO follow would be
a. MACE such forces as We could
Use under allied command. where
81 association with trained and vet
80, troops OF France and Great
45-itain they would find support and
,e,rr more readily the lessons that
49, frhtin- man must know.
president NetOcs Plan.
Admiral Sims. together with some
cher Americans. were inclined TO
80 with the allies that this plan
- tho one we should adopt
Put not so the president. He dis
missed the proposal as soon as he
bcord OF IL. Gen. Pershing was
equally emphatic in reDudiaung it..
n cen. Pershing had recommended
D. believe Prest Wilson would