San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-11-15
EVERYTHING WR0NG,' SAYS
BELL, Barring ARMY CHAOS

+, human beings to live in for any length
of time. Such a camp has a depressing
effect on the occupants, and, certainly,
is not calculated to inspire any one.
TROOPS COME IN.
Troops began to come in by train,
and the camp began to fill up with its
military population at an exasperat-
ingly slow rate. The last National
Guard unit arrived October 26, more
than two months after the camp had
been organized!
As regards the arrival of supplies,
the concerned department in Washing
ton evidently had not yet heard that
we were formally and officially in war
with Germany and the Central Pow
ers.
Just as a bit of order was being
brought out of the chaos. received
Geographic instructions TO proceed to
Europe accompanied by my chief of
staff. one aide de camp and two
orlerlies.
The order pleased me very much,
because Of the opportunity to learn
all I could at first hand on the battle
fields of Europe.
WENT QUICKLY ABROAD.
Command of the division was trans
ferred to Brigadier General Henry d.
Todd. commander of the artillery bri-
gade and second ranking officer in
camp. and We proceeded to Europe by
the first available steamer.
We did not tarry long in London,
hut hactopaI m hn N, nfnu nrocgad
the Channel to Havre and from there
without stopping proceeded to Paris,
reporting Immediately upon arrival.
In Paris We were given definite in
structiOns. We were to proceed to the
British front and spend two weeks in
exhaustive study and observation. The
following two weeks were to be spent
on a similar mission at the French
front. after which period we were to
remain at the American headquarters
for another two weeks.
We started early the next morning
for Amiens. where we were scheduled
to arrive about 1 o'clock in the after
noon.
We reached Amiens four hours late,
and hurried to the headquarters of the
British Sixth Division at o in the eve
ming.
In spite of the lateness of the hour,
we were not only given a cordial re-
ception. but, to our astonishment,
found that our hosts had kept dinner
in readiness for us.
BRITISH FRIENDLY.
In America much has been said, and
still is being said, about the GOODNESS
and aloofness Of the British. If our
experience with the British not only
during our official visit, but through
out the time the Thirty-third Division,
months later, served at the British
front. represented coldness and aloof
ness. then / can only say that | wish
some Of that brand for the rest OF my
life.
II is only just to state that no other
officers and men with whom we came
in contact during the war. private as
well as officially, were as kind and
fair as were our British confreres.
They withheld nothing from us, shared
all they possessed, gave us freely the
benefit of their favorable and un
favorable experience, initiated us in
all their technical advances and dis.
coyeries, without in the least letting
us feel that our lack of experience in
many innovations lessened our useful
ness. but. on the contrary frequently
alluded to the great help they antici-
pated from American participation in
the war.
POINTED OUT THEIR ERRORS.
We were taken through the entire
area of a division, from the extreme
rear to the trench systems. until We
were directly up to "No Mans Land"
confronting the enemy outposts. We
were not entrusted to the care OF
junior officers, the generals themselves