Evening star., 1922-05-16

Continued from First Page.)
uated In one regiment after gas at
tack and bombardment. That served
the purpose. though, Of showing the
French and the British nearby how
dependable the green American troops
were. 1t resulted in q building up of
a morale which later played a prom
inent part In the allied victory.
Case of Deserter-spy.
There1l be much to talk about when
these veterans gather. For instance.
there's the case Of deserter from the
ranks who had enlisted and gotten
into the front-line trenches to carry
on his work as spy. Absolute Sc
crecy was the primary requisite for
success in the attack. Just before
the time for the attack he deserted
and headed for the German trenches.
Discovered half way across. rife fire
was resorted to, in an effort to stop
story to the Germans, 1t seems, but
they refused to believe him. In fact,
every evidence they had pointed to
different plans.
There.ll be talks OF the raids which
preceded the attack, when the Ger
lean ranks who told them a story Of
fresh troops. which made them believe
that the deserter and spy lied to them.
Then there will be chats about the
rations which they had to go on be-
fore going into that attack. Many of
q Day, wine twice day, ration of the
French which they were placed on,
with distinct disappointment. The
fact was that liquor was banned in
the American ranks and for some time
they got nothing but one coffee ra-
tion per day.
Started Last January.
The District branch of the society
was started last January. with a
meeting in the offices of the chief of
infantry. at which the attendance was
approximately sixty. Since that time
the District branch has expanded
healthily. Lieut.. NJ. S. Stevenson. who
happens to be national president of
the Disabled Emergency Officers As
sociation. was elected president of the
District branch. The vice presidents
are Kenneth E. Barber. secretary of
Representative Copley of Illinois; Col
Francis c. Marshall of the office of
chief of cavalry. and Representative
Ogden Mills OF New York. Cornelius
S. Ryan Of this city, is secretary
treasurer. and the members Of the
board of directors. besides the above
named officers. include: Col. Theodore
Roosevelt, assistant secretary of the
Pat NJ. Minish. now at Walter Reed
Hospital: Capt. J. A. Malterer. Sergt.
David l. Friesel of Fort Myer and
Capt. Charles S. Coulter of the adju-
tant generals ONCE Of the War De-
partment.
The membership includes a number
who were prominent in the prosecu-
tion of the war at the battle front in
France. among whom are Maj. Gen
E. F. McGlachlin, now head of the
War College; Maj. Gen: Patrick. Maj
Gen.; F. w; Colt, chief of the coast
F. C. Marshall, Col. William c. Cruik-
shanks, Col. w. S. McNair. Col. George
c. Barnhart, Col. Harold D. Fisk. Lieut..
Col. Augustine Mcintyre and Maj.
George c. Marshall. the personal aide
Of Gen. Pershing.
Gen. Pershing applied for member
ship on the basis that he was the
first officer of the 1st Division and
as such one Of its members.
Prominent Speaker.
Arrangements have not been fully
completed for the dinner. but invi-
tations are being prepared for a
number Of persons well known in
military circles. Among the speak
ers, it is planned, will be Brig. Gen.
Henson E. E. Ely. who commanded
the 2Sth Infantry in the assault on
Cantigny. which took the town. Col.
Roosevelts 26th Infantry accom-
panied the attack with a forward
movement just at the opportune time
and the colonel will be called upon
for an address.
1t Is expected to make the celebra-
ton Of Cantigny day a permanent in
stitution among the men of the lst
Division in Washington. At Camp
Dix, where the division is now sta
toned. the day Is observed regularly
each year.