Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-26

pride in their work, and did It with
satisfaction to all.
The Medical DEPARTMENTS plans con-
stantly received my careful attention
through frequent conferences with the
chief surgeon, COL Bradley, and his
assistant. Col Ireland. Most OF the
older officers remembered with some
thing akin to horror the tnsanitary
condition Of our camps ut Chickamauga
and elsewhere and the resulting high
death rate from disease during the
Spanish War, and all concerned, espe-
cially the medical men, were resolved
that nothing like that should be re-
peated in our Armies in the World War.
Our problem of handling the sick and
wounded was more difficult than that
OF any of the allies, as we had no civil
hospitals OF our own available. Full
provision, therefore, had to be made Tor
hospital accommodations in France. as
only convaleScents manifestly unit for
further service could be sent home.
The early estimates submitted in Au-
gust, based upon q small force Of $780,
600 men, called for $4,000 beds in per-
manent, semi-permanent or temporary
hospitals, and plans for expansion were
in hand to keep pace with the expected
should become engaged. While this
beginning appeared quite liberal, yet 1t
was calculated to meet further demands
Of the immediate future.
All the facilities throughout France
were available for the French. yet they
had SO many sick and wounded that
their hospital resources were pretty well
exhausted. AS there seemed to be only
q few suitable buildings that could be
assigned to us, we had to plan consid-
cradle new construction. This required
additional labor and material, both Of
which were scarce, and although there
was some delay we managed by persist
ent effort to keep pace with require
mentS.
MY diary says:
"Paris, Thursday, September 20, 1917.
Arrived from Chaumont by motor on
Tuesday and hSve spent two busy days
here. Coal shortage so serious that we
are borrowing for current needs. In
conference with Lord Derby and Maj.
Gen. Maurice yesterday found they can
furnish some coal but no tonnage to
carry it. Lord Derby offered any sup
plies England can spare.
Admiral Mayo, Atterbury, Dawes
and Comdr. Sayles. naval attache,
lunched with us today to discuss coal
situation. Mayo agrees that Navy and
gether.
Orders issued today directing strict
est economy in use Of fuel and oil"
Danger Of Coal Shortage.
The destruction by the German army
/ of the mines Of Northern France had
forced the importation from England of
large proportion Of the coal needed
| for various purposes in both France
and Italy. Lack of cross-channel ton
mage had produced q serious situation
and the danger of coal shortage during
the approaching Winter gave us much
concern. Italy was even worse of, due
to her greater distance from the sources
of supply.
The continuous manufacture of mu-
nitionS demanded constant inflow OF
coal, the railroads needed an assured
amount, while the troops and civil
populations had to have their proper
ton. The French foresaw the gravest
consequences unless increased quanti-
ties could be brought regularly from
England, and our necessities were tied
up with theirs. Although the French
themselves were not working their re-
naming mines to the fullest extent,
yet when it was proposed that Ameri-
can miners be sent to assist them the
suggestion was not favored because Of
internal labor conditions.
| We needed some 10000 tons OF Chan
mel shipping to keep us going at this
time, and we would require an even
| larger amount as our activities in
creased. In an endeavor to make in
dependent provision for our Army on
the same basis as the Navy, which was
being supplied from British sources
Col. Dawes was sent to confer with
Admiral Sims, only to be told that our
Navy in European waters could not fur
nish us any tonnage. A statement OF
the situation was cabled to Washing
ton, with the request that steamers,
| possibly from the Great Lakes, be sent.
AS satisfactory arrangements could
not be made through Admiral Sims, an
appeal was made to Admiral Mayo, who
was already fully alive to American