Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-26

clusion they would do everything in
their power to save Paris, but If it
should be lost, they would go on fight
ing.
above Paris is France" he added,
land above France is civilization"
He expressed himself satisfied with
the agreement reached at the special
conference at Versailles and I recall
distinctly his more than usual gracious
ness that day as he said: You need
never make an appointment with me
at any time, but just come whenever
you wish and you shall always see me-"
CIemenceau Apprehensive.
As was leaving he came to the
door with me and 1 said: 1T may not
look encouraging just now. but we are
certain to win in the end" He chung
to my hand and in a tone that showed
the utmost solicitude. he replied: DO
you really think that? 1 am glad to
hear you say It,"
This was the first and only time that
I ever sensed any misgivings in the
mind of this resolute man. Notwith-
standing our occasional rather heated
discussions on the use to be made of
American troops, admired him great
~. 1t always seemed TO me he repre-
sented the true spirit of confidence
and courage of the French people.
/ then motored to Gen. Foch'S head
quarters at Bombon. We considered
my proposal to form an American corps
near Chateau Thierry, to which he
readily agreed. He spoke especially of
the fine work of our troops.
l asked how a German drive which
threatened or perhaps captured Paris
would affect the armies and the people.
H. I;I
M. Clemenceau's. They had evidently
discussed the possibility Of losing Paris
He, too, was certain the armies would
go on with the war. Foch spoke so
positively and with such evident feeling
that I was moved to get up and shake
his hand.
1 said his assurance was gratifying
and that the French people could be
certain the American Government and
people would be with them to the last
Everybody was in cordial and agree
able mood. and as I departed Foch
asked me TO come to see him oftener
and talk over matters in general, and
never to hesitate to let him know when
anything turned up that did not like.
Italy Seeks U. s. Troops.
Looking back on those days, one must
say that although the French regard
their country as the very keystone CT
the arch of civilization it might have
been difficult to keep them in the
war. If Paris had fallen. While no one
could have openly suggested any such
thought at that time. some French
officers felt that it would cause the
ministry to fall and be replaced by one
in favor Of peace.
Back at Chaumont, June 10, I saw
Gen. De Robilant, who was at that time
the Italian military representative on
the Supreme War Council, and dis
cussed transportation Of our troops to
Italy.
While the Italian government was
anxious to have our troops, yet so far
they had found no sea transportation
to bring them over. Mr.. Orlando, the
prime minister, wanted the American
troops sent direct from the States, that
they might go through Italy by rail to
show the people the Americans were
actually there. Moreover, he wanted
them TO be other than naturalized
Italians, for fear the people might doubt
their nationality
When we came to consider the de-
tails Gen. de Robilant proposed that
they should be transported from New
York by Italian shipping, and he en-
tered lengthy discussion of the plan,
by which he was to send over three or
four ships, to which / readily agreed
But it turned out later that the vessels
he counted on were already included
in the list of those the British were
going to use for carrying our troops.
After a delay of about q month and
acting under instructions from Wash
ingJon. 1 directed that the advance
regiment of the 83d Division, which
had recently arrived, should go to Italy
by rail
Meanwhile the 4th and 28th Divi-
sionS, en- route from the British front
TO the Northeast of France, were stop
ed at Gen. Fochs request in the vi