Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-16

action would be Of great importance in
stimulating the morale of our troops
and of our people. Now that the LIST
Division was to go into line the people
at home would expect soon to hear
that an American army was engaged
on its own front. suggested the pos
sibility that the corps might be assem-
bled near the LIST Division as a begin
ming.
Gen. Foch agreed in principle TO the
suggestion, but was uncertain when the
other divisions could be spared, which
I, Of course. fully appreciated. He
pointed cut that the enemy was very
aggressive and referred TO the severe
attack against the British on the Lys
between Lens and Ypres. which began
on the 9th and was still in progress.
But, looking beyond. insisted that the
26th and AID Divisions might be with
drawn at any time from quiet sectors,
to be followed by the I'd and 32d and
also the Sd a few days later.
I pointed out that this force Of six
divisions including the 1st, would equal
twelve French divisions. and gave it as
my opinion that 1t would be better to
use this American group for active
operations than to detain the units in
quiet sectors and send French divisions
to the battle front
My understanding after this discus
sion was very definite that the plan
would soon be carried out, leaving the
exact time and place to be determined
1t was unnatural to me Just where it
should occur, the point being to get 1t
done.
Haig's Famous Order.
The German offensive on the Lys was
another formidable effort to break the
OF
to the north and south of Armentieres
on front Of "a miles by 81 German
divisions. The exhausted British, though
they fought with most commendable
courage and skill. were forced again to
yield, with heavy losses to themselves
and the Portuguese, consisting of two
divisions, who were with them. 1t was
in this extremity that Marshal HaigS
famous order to his armies was issued:
Three weeks ago today the enemy
began his terrific attacks against us on
a 50-mile front. His objects are to sepa-
rate US from the French, to take the
Channel ports, and destroy the British
Army.
I'm spite of throwing already 100 d.
visions into the battle and enduring the
most reckless sacrifice of human life. he
has as yet made little progress toward
his goals.
I'VE owe this to the determined fight
ing and self-sacrifice of our troops.
Words fail me to express the admiration
which feel for the splendid resistance
offered by all ranks of our army under
the most trying circumstances.
Many among us now are tired To
those I would say that victory will be-
long to the side which holds out the
longest. The French Army is moving
rapidly and in great force to our sup
port.
No Alternative Open.
There is no other course open to us
but TO fight 1t out! Every position must
be held to the last man; there must be
no retirement. With our backs to the
wall, and believing in the justice of our
cause, each one Of us must fight on to
the end. The safety of our homes and
the freedom Of mankind alike depend
upon the conduct of each one of us at
this critical moment"
Several French divisions were hurried
to the Lys front, but it was week after
the attack began before they were put
into the line. They then relieved Brit
ish divisions at the famous KENNEL
Hill, only to be surprised and defeated
themselves April IS, much to their
chagrin The battle was practically
ended by the last of the month, with
gain by the Germans of 10 or II
miles and the capture OF important
territory from the British, but with
failure to take Hazebrouck.
Tomorrow: PerShing in London
Steers Clear of British Snare to Absorb
Our Troops)
Copyright, 1881. in all countries by the
North American New paper Alliance World
rights reserved, including the Scandinavian
Reproduction in whole or in part prohibited.)