The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-05-14

was explained to him by General de
Castlenau that as soon as they were
sufficiently advanced the troops Of the
division were to be placed by brigades
with the French in a quiet sector near
LunevilIe.
NJ. Clemenceau went on to say that
America had now been in the war
several months and the French people
were wondering when they expected
to take an active part. He said that
the French army was exhausted by the
war and that its morale was poor. He
insisted then, as he did with even
greater vehemence later on in an Off
cial capacity. that it was not so much
a question of troops being ready as it
was of giving relief to the allies.
Although the division was only par
TALLY trained it could have been used
in an emergency, but there was moth
ing threatening in the situation at
that time and no suggestion had been
made that it should go into the line
for serious work.
The failure of our aviation bureau
to keep abreast of airplane develop
ment in the contending armies cost US
serious delay.
With lack of data in the begin
ming, little progress had been made at
home on our aviation program at the
end of five months. FruitIess efforts
to describe mechanical construction
and give definite information concern
ing production and otherwise reach de-
cisions by cable prompted Washing
ton to send special mission to
France, of which Maj. r. G. Boiling
was the head.
Through his ability and expert
knowledge he rendered exceptional
service in cooperating with those in
control Of allied aviation and in fur
nishing the necessary technical infor-
nation upon which to base action at
home. The investigation made by his
mission confirmed the view that our
manufacturers could not begin to fur
nish planes before the summer of 1918.
Pershing Orders Planes.
After inquiry as to French capacity
to turn out planes, made contract
with the air ministry late in August
committing us to an expenditure Of
$G0,000,000 for 5000 planes and $500
engines, to be delivered as rapidly as
possible at intervals before the first
of June, 1918, on condition that we
should provide certain tools and raw
| materials. To make contract to pay
such an amount appeared somewhat
bold, but under the circumstances
some one had to take the initiative in
providing planes needed at once for
the development of our air force.
AS aviation was in no sense a logi-
cal branch of the signal corps the two
were separated in the A. E. F. as soon
as practicable and aviation was Or
ganized and maintained as a distinct
force. To coordinate our training
with that at home Brig. Gen. William
L. Kenly was sent over the latter part
of August and was appointed chief of
aviation in the A. e. F. Colonel
Mitchell, who had succeeded Major
Dodd, the first chief Of aviation, was
given jurisdiction over aviation in the
zone Of advance. Major Boiling was
placed in charge Of aviation in the
zone Of the interior, and soon succeed
ed in securing a better cooperation
through an interallied aircraft board.
The next essential step was the
training of airplane pilots, and accord
ingly arrangements were made for our
men to enter flying schools in England,
France and Italy after they had passed
their preliminary tests at home. Va
cancies were held for US in the schools,
but we were unable to take full advan-
tage of this opportunity for training
because of the delay in sending over
flyers. However, we proceeded with
the establishment Of our own training
centers, the first of which, located at
Issoudun, was planned for capacity
of 900 pilots by spring.
/ Use Of Gas New Problem.
The use of poisonous gases In war
fare had been discussed at The Hague
conference in 1899, with the result
that several nations pledged them
selves against the employment Of pro-
jectiles the only object Of which was
to give forth suffocating or poisonous
gases. This action had created feel
ing Of security regarding such pos
sibility.
Germany had subscribed to the
agreement, and when her armies disre-
garded this pledge and became the
first to use gas shells, the impression
was that they had now thrown every
consideration Of humanity to the
winds.
This action by the enemy forced the
allies to adopt this weapon themselves
as a matter of self-protection. From
that time on the employment Of gas
became common to all combatants.
The use of gas in warfare presented
an entirely new problem to us, and
the organization of service to handle