Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-22

40 carloads Of clothing and unServ-
iceable equipment
Report from washington indicates
that we have only limited number of
| trained men left. French and British
Ambassadors are again asking the
President for additional infantry and
machine gun units. Washington cables
that cavalry organized for A. Z. r.
now needed on border"
It was my custom throughout the
war, as both q duty and pleasure,
TO visit the troops as frequently as pos
sible to keep in touch with the state
of efficiency and the morale of officers
and men. AS Bundy'S I'd Division, with
Harbord and E. M. Lewis as brigade
commanders, was leaving the quiet sec
tor south of Verdun en- route to the
billeting and training area to finish
preparation for battle, the moment was
opportune 10 make a brief inspection.
had an opportunity to talk with .
number of the officers In command of
smaller units. I especially discussed
the question of supply with officers
charged with that duty.
Troops CompIimented.
I visited Harbords brigade of Ma
rines and found those / inspected in
good shape and their billets we'll kept
The troops of the division that were
seen on the march, especially the
trains, did not look SO well. In an
army like ours the care of animals is
dificult TO teach. Cruikshank'S artil-
lery looked well. The entraining at
Ancemont was carried out in an or
derby and systematic manner.
General Blondlat, in whose corps the
I'd had been serving, spoke very highly
Of the troops but, contrary to the view
of most French officers, he thought
differences in language and tempera-
ment were serious handicaps to COM
bined work, and he was of the opinion
that Americans should do their own
training. 1t was exceptional TO hear
an expression from French sources that
agreed SO completely with our own. The
| favorable impression obtained of this
unit was very soon to be confirmed on
the battlefield, where its distinguished
service was to make its name immortal
Upon my return to Chaumont q
cable was handed me from the Secre-
tary Of War on the unwelcome subject
| of more infantry and machine gun
units. as follows:
The President asked me to say to
you that he has been very much i'm
| pressed and disturbed by representa-
lions officially made to him by French
and British Ambassadors showing the
steady drain upon French and British
requirements and the small number of
replacement troops now available. He
feels that you on the ground have full
| opportunity to know the situation and
fully trusts your judgment as to how
far we ought to give additional priority
to infantry and machine gun units, in
view OF the fact that such troops seem
to be the most Immediately serviceable
and urgently needed"
Wanted Sympathetic Hearing.
After saying that the Abbeville
agreement provided less priority than
recommended by the Supreme War
Council, the cable stated further:
| 1T has been suggested to the Presi-
dent that Gen. Foch may reopen this
subject with you, and the President
| hopes you will approach any such in
terview as sympathetically as possible,
particularly the situation as to re-
placements, which has been presented
to him, Is as critical as 1t seems"
My reply set forth the principal argu-
ments used at Abbeville against the un-
limited shipment Of the classes OF troops
the allies requested. / pointed out that
the statements made by allied leaders
at that conference indicated that pos
sibly enough tonnage would be forth
coming TO enable us to ship complete
divisions, and that all concerned seemed
W DC SaLlSIleO WIN the concessions we
made. added further:
Il think we have fully and fairly
met the situation We have given the
Supreme War Council all 1t asked al
Abbevillle. 1t is believed that the
action at Abbeville should be consid-
cred as the deliberate expression of the
Supreme War Councils latest view. /" . 9
Otherwise. as long as there is the slight
hope of getting concessions, there viii
be continual clamor, regardless of how
1t affects us. Judging from what
occurred at Abbeville and from the ex-
pressions of approval by Gen. Foch.
think he cannot consistently reopen
the subject until the question of July
needs arises
Judge Lindsey Calls.
My diary notes the following:
Paris, Saturday, May 10, 1918. Saw
number of officers. Hamilton Hol
| TtIAOa par TinAaau aouan IN,