Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-02

Inauguration Of q very vigorous wal
policy by M. Clemenceau.
However, 1t was well known that IN
England outside of government circles
there was o sentiment In certain quar-
tiers in favor Of ending the war by ne
gotiation. One did not hear so very
much Of It in France, but the argu-
ments presented by those who held this
view were that the Germans, having
put Russia and Rumania and possibly
Italy out Of the war, would now have
to night only on the western front.
The ideas Of o reasonable mans
peace" and mo desire to crush Ger
many" although characterized by the
government as pro German" and paciA
fistic, were, nevertheless, supported by
not q few influential men and openly
so by Lord LansdoWne This sort OF
peace was also favored by several Brit
ish newspapers; as reported TO me at
the time, such as the Manchester
Guardian, Daily News, Westminster
Gazette and the Nation.
The existence of such sentiments
without doubt, had a more or less de-
pressing effect, for the time being. upon
British morale, and 1t certainly set the
rest of us thinking. although, being IN
close personal touch with all the civil
and military leaders, was not at al
of the opinion that 1t was generally
taken seriously.
The results of the British success at
Cambria were not to be permanent, as
the Germans quickly retaliated. Gen
Won Marwitz hastily assembled force
Of some IS divisions and November. 80
suddenly launched a violent counter
attack. The British were short OF re-
serves, and before Won Marwitz was
stopped his troops had regained most
Of the lost ground.
It was in this operation that q de-
tachment Of our 18th Regiment of En-
gineers became engaged while serving
with the british. The men, to the num-
Der Of 280, were at work In the Gauza'
court Railway yards when the Ger
mans attacked. One officer and nine
men were wounded, and the detach-
ment withdrew. They were then given
arms and fought with the British.
Becomes Supcrparliament.
The second conference OF the SUI
preme War Council was held at Yer
sailles December /, the first having
been held at Rapallo when the council
was established. Our representatives
political and military, at this meeting
were Mr.. House and Gen. Bliss, re.
spectively. At the opening session M
Clemenceau drew attention to the gen.
eral situation, referring especially tc
the collapse Of Russia, the probable
release Of enemy troops from that front
the adverse situation in Italy, the deple-
ton Of allied man power and the reli-
ance Of the allies on American assist
ance.
| The premier enjoined the military
representatives ito bear in mind that
their function is to advise the Supreme
War Council as q whole and not merely
as representatives Of their respective
nations on the council, and that they
should view the problems confronting
them not from national standpoint
but from that of the allies as whole
The military representatives at this
conference were instructed to examine
the military situation and report their
recommendations as to the future plan
of operations to study the immediate
situation in Italy from the offensive as
we'll as from the defensive point Of view
and to report on the utilization OF the
Belgian Army.
It was evident that this body was to
become a kind of superparliament, not
only for the discussion of resources, aims
and purposes, but for the determination
Of policies looking to concert OF action
| in support of the military efforts. The
spirit in which the problems were APP
preached at this meeting made it clear
that the Supreme War Council would