The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-08-06
CHAPTER XIII

CHAPTER XIII
The sixth session of the supreme
war council was convened June l, 1918.
The important matter of further ship
ment of American troops was taken
up.
AS already indicated, it was my opin-
ion that neither the character of the
troops to be sent over nor their diSpO-
sition was within the province of the
council to decide, hut that these ques-
tons should be determined according
to circumstances and after discussion
with the allies.
So l objected to their consideration
by the council, as such. and suggested
a meeting outside the council, which
was approved.
Accordingly, in the late afternoon.
General Foch, Lord Miner, British war
minister, General Weygand and l, with
Colonies Conner and Boyd. met in the
premier's room. General Foch began
by stating the serious condition of the
allies and proposed the continued ship
ment from America of nothing but in
fantry and machine-gun units in June
and July, in effect 100000 in each
month. Every one realized the gravity
Of the allied situation as strongly as
he did, but, as previously and per-
sistently contended by me, there were
two sides to the question.
Foch Becomes Excited.
was prepared to make some con-
cessions and stated my views, but
neither facts nor arguments seemed
to make any impression. General Foch
especially was very positive and
earnest and, in fact, became quite ex-
cited, waving his hands and repeating:
"The battle, the battle; nothing else
counts"
With equal emphasis 1 urged that
we must build up our organization as
fast as possible to carry on the battle
to the end, and that our program had
been seriously interrupted by conces-
Sions already made.
1 called attention to the fact that
the railways all over France were on
the point of breaking down for lack Of
efficient operators and Of skilled work
men to repair rolling stock; that our
ports would be hopeless!y blocked I'M
less we could improve the railways {;
this his plan would leave US 100000
men short to complete combat units
and fill up special organizations that
were absolutely necessary in the S. O..
S., and, finally, that the restriction Of
our shipments to infantry and ma
chine-gun units would be a very dan
gerous and short-sighted policy.
To much Of this he paid little or no
attention and replied that all these
things could be postponed.
Wanted Wilson Informed.
Graeme Thompson, British expert on
transportation and supply, came into
the room at this point with Mr.. Lloyd
George and General Sir Henry Wilson,
and took part in the discussion. Mr..
Lloyd George said he thought Presi-
dent Wilson would be deeply interest
cd to get General Foch's view Of the
situation, and added that as America
had no prime minister present he
thought it would be inconvenient for
us to make decision, but that this
subject should be brought before the
whole council.
l then called attention to a cable
from Secretary Of War Baker, already
quoted, showing that the President had
been much embarrassed by represen-
tations made to him personally by the
French and British ambassadors, and
had suggested that the matter might
be settled by conference between
General Foch and myself. I pointed
ont that the cable did not mention
the supreme war council, and I again
stated my opposition to making the
subject one Of general discussion by
all allied representatives and their
stats.
did not fail to point out further
that the President was trusting my
Judgment in this matter. AS nothing
was being accomplished and hoping
the number Of participants in the dis
cussion might be limited, I proposed
we adjourn until the following day.
Pershing Again Answers Foch.
The next afternoon when we as
sembled NJ. Clemenceau was waiting
for the rest of us, and instead Of there
being fewer conferees the number had
increased. Not unlike the situation at
Abbeville a month before, everybody
was keyed up, and, as we had expect
ed, the question had to be fought all
over again.
General Foch supported by NJ. Glenn
enceau and Lloyd George, wanted
nothing but infantry and machine gun
ners in June and July, TO which l was
strongly opposed, again insisting that
sufficient Importance had not been at
tached to my reasons for the necessity
of the auxiliary troops omitted in
June.
Foch resorted to his often-repeated
question whether was willing to take
the risk, to which I replied very posi-
lively that was ready to assume any
responsibility my proposal might en-
tail, but that I must have a greater
proportion of other troops to keep the