The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-04-30
CONTINUED from last issue)
CHAPTER VII


rade in Paris July 4, 1917. We were
not prepared to make much of mill
tary impression, as our men were
largely recruits. But to stimulate
morale the French wanted to demon
strate that the Americans were actu-
ally coming, so battalion of the Six
teenth infantry was brought up from
Saint NaZaire
The unframed, awkward appearance
of this unit, which was accepted as
the cream of our regular army by the
French officials, no doubt tended to
confirm their belief that it would be
some time before we should be able
to organize an effective army.
If they could have foreseen the tri-
umph of this same battalion at the
peak of the great counter offensive on
the field of scissors just one year lat
er we might have been spared many
delays and difficulties in carrying out
our plans.
Troops Bring Joy to French.
Nevertheless, the first appearance of
American combat troops in Paris
brought joyful acclaim from the peo-
pie On the march the battalion was
accompanied by a great crowd, many
women forcing their way into the
ranks and swinging along arm in arm
with the men. With wreaths about
their necks and flowers in their hats
and on their rifles. the column had the
appearance of a moving flower garden.
With only semblance of military
formation the animated throng pushed
it's way through avenues of people to
the martial strains of the French band
and the Still more thrilling music of
cheering voices. Many dropped on
their knees in reverence as the col
Cmn went by
The battalion marched to the ceme-
terry where the tomb of Lafayette is
located. The ceremony there consist
ed of a few speeches, the principal
speaker being Brand Whitlock, our
ambassador to Belgium. | had been
asked to deliver an address but had
designated Col. c. +. Stanton of my
staff, an old army friend and some
thing of an orator, to speak in my
place. However, l was prevailed upon
to speak eXtemporaneously.
b Lafayette, We Are Here!"
It was on this occasion that utter
ance was given to an expression that
could be born only of inspiration, one
that will live long in history: "Lafay
cite, we are here"
Many have attributed this striking
utterance to me, and have often
wished it could have been mine. But
l have no recollection of saying any
thing so splendid. l am sure those
words were spoken by Colonel STAN
ton, and to him must go the credit
for so happy and felicitous phrase.
The parade of our troops through
Paris doubtless fortified the morale of
the people to certain extent, but we
all knew that eventually something
very much more effective would have
to be done.
The real question was whether the
allies could hold out until we were
ready. 1t was clear that no halfway
measures on our part would answer
and that allied hopes lay in Ameri-
can military assistance on a vast scale
at the earliest moment.
Cables for 1,oooooo Men.
The allies thought an American
force of 100000 men the maximum that
we could have in France in 1918, but
in my opinion that would not be
enough to meet the situation. If we
could have had half million fighting
men in France in the early spring 1t
would have been a different matter.
But looking ahead It was necessary
to allow from 50 to 40 per cent for
the services of supply, which would
leave out of this number only approx
mately 100000 fighting troops. Although
this would aid, we could not be con-
tent merely to lend a helping hand
but must prepare to strike a decisive
blow.
While the appearance on the front
Of any American force was still months
away, yet there was little doubt that
If we could induce allied cooperation
We should be able to give much great
er assistance than they believed pos
sible. Our study having confirmed the
correctness of my tentative estimate
made on the Baltic, l therefore called
Washington, July 6, as follows:
''Plans should contemplate sending
over at least 100000 men by next
May. This estimate would
give practically half million men for
trenches. Inasmuch as question af-
fects all allies whose common inter-
ests demand that we exert maximum
military power consistent with trans
sport problem, suggest early agreement
be reached among allies which would
provide requisite transportation
and limit sea transportation to food
and military supplies and the exclusion
of every kind of luxury as well as
other supplies in excess of immediate
needs of countries dependent upon
oversee supplies"
Question of Transportation.
The question was, therefore, one of
sea transportation, but so far all eff
forts to get the allies, especially the
British, to consider giving help to bring
over men and supplies had been futile.
They did not seem to realize that
America wOuld he practically noolf.