Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-25

in regimental barracks. Surroundings
give relief from depression of Paris.
| On my invitation President Poincare
came this morning to inspect lst Di-
vision"
Poincare Compliments Men.
Driving to Gondrecourt with my
chief of staff and aides, we found Gen.
Petain and staff and an escort of French
troops drawn up at the station, where
Guiding the minister of war, were re-
ceived with due formality. The presi-
rent and I led the way by motor to
Houdelaincourt, where the ceremony
was to be held.
1t was a compliment to the 1st di-
vision to have a visit from the head
| of the French Republic, and every man
was on his mettle. The troops were
| already assembled when we arrived.
AS the President and walked through
the ranks he commented very favor
| ably on the appearance Of the men.
| and was quite. struck with their size
and their youth and their vigor. After
the command had marched in review.
| the President asked to meet the officers
and made them a very happy speech.
Upon conclusion Of his talk they show
ed their appreciation by promptly Civ
ing him three rousing cheers, which
pleased him very much
From the purely military point of
view, the impression gained by the
| President at this review could not have
been particularly favorable, as at least
! four-f1fthS of the men were recruits
! and over one-half of the officers had
been but recently commissioned. More
over, the men had been hard at work
on combat training, and this, together
with the uneven ground OF the muddy
| hillside where the review was held,
made military precision dificult. How
ever, he was a very keen observer and
no doubt drew great satisfaction from
the thought that a few more months of
training of this group of $4,000 Ameri-
cans together with others yet to come,
would one day make a formidable ad-
dition to the forces of the war-worn
allies.
Again from my diary:
"Chaumont, Saturday, SEPTEMBER 8.
1917. Have seen various officers OF
missions at my headquarters Gen.
Ragueneau, as chief of the French
mission. became Gen. Petain's repre-
sentative.
Miss Elizabeth Hoyt, secretary Of the
Red Cross, took lunchen with us and
recent activities. Gov. Allen OF Kansas
and William Allen White, also Of the
Red Cross, came to call"
To maintain closer relations among
the allied armies and keep each COM
mander in chief advised regarding the
morale, proposed operations and move
ments of troops of other armies, and.
in fact, all matters that might affect
the general situation, a system had
grown up whereby the army Of each
nation was represented at the head
quarters of the others by group of
officers called q mission. Consequent
ly when we definitely established head
quarters ct Chaumont, we exchanged
missions with the British, French,
Italian and Belgian armies.
Advanced Own Ideas.
The missions with us, especially those
of the French and British, did not
always confine their activities to ncr-
NAL lines. but often took occasion to
advance their ideas regarding the train
continuously argued that we would
contribute more to the allied cause
by helping to strengthen their units
than by building up an independent
army of our own, although the British
were not far behind in their efforts
in that direction.
Knowing this attitude of our French
friends, it was necessary to be on the
lookout to avoid commitments to sug-
gestions that might eventually involve
the question of amalgamation. Apart
from this, however, and considering
their services as whole, it should be
said that the fine spirit Of helpful
ness and cooperation by the members
of these missions appealed to us, and
many close friendships grew out Of
our association with them.
My diary says:
"Chaumont, Tuesday, September II,
1917. On Sunday saw representative
of Postal Department sent to organize
service for the armies. Conferred with
several stan officers. DR.. Woods Hutch
inson called. Chemical Warfare De-
partment, known as Gas Service estab-
lished in A. e. F. System of schools
for our forces completed.
Conferred yesterday with Gen. Will
Jams; prospect of obtaining tanks not
hopeful unless they can be produced
at home"
The use of poisonous gases In war
fare had been discussed at The Hague
Conference in 1899, with the result
that several nations pledged tdems