Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-17

COn0lbbDu OF MS uIliLs 10 NllAGA AS "
piled that the men were very tired.
Whereupon I remarked that there could
be no reason for that, as they had been
| in the line only short time, ana /
added with some emphasis, that 1t was
probably the division commander who
was tired.
First Task Completed.
Not long afterwsrd bis division lost
its cohesion in battle and became much
disorganized, and he was relieved. An
other commander was appointed who
was tirelesS and efficient, and under
him the division served with exceptional
distinction.
The reduction of the st. Mihiel sa-
lent completed the first task OF the
American Army. It's elimination freed
the Paris-Nancy rail communication
and the roads th&t parallel the Mouse
north from st. Mihiel. These at once
became available for our use in the
greater offensive to be undertaken I'M
mediately.
We had restored to France 200 square
miles of territory and had placed our
Army in a favorable situation for fur
Their operations. The new American po-
sition in the Woevre, almost within
reach Of Metz, now stood as threat
against the great fortress on the Mo-
part of the front.
was somewhat familiar with the
strength of the Notifications, having
visited Metz and the surrounding coun-
try including the battlefields of 1870,
some years before, little dreaming, how
ever, that one day an American Army
would be so near and so eager to meas
ure swords with the defenders.
This striking victory completely DEM
onstrated the wisdom of building up
distinct American Army. No form of
propaganda could overcome the depress-
ing effect Of the enemys morale OF
the fact that a new adversary had been
able to put formidable army into the
field against him which, in its first Of
fensive, could win such an important
engagement
This result, after nearly q year, and
a half of working and waiting, must
have tremendously heartened our peo-
PIE at home, as it gave them tangible
reason to believe our contribution TO
the war would be the deciding factor.
It inspired our troops with unlimited
confidence, which was to stand them
in good stead against weary days and
nights of battle later on.
Congratulations Pour In.
The st Mihiel victory probably did
more than any single operation Of the
war to encourage the tired allies. After
| the years of doubt and despair, OF SUI
fering and loss, it brought them as
surance Of the final defeat of an enemy
whose armies had seemed well nigh in
Vincible. The French people of all
| classes were loud in their praise Of the
Americans.
Many were the messages Of congrat-
ulation that poured into the 1st Army
headquarters from all sources, some OF
! which are quoted:
From Marshal Foch: "The 1st Amer
| lean Army. under your command, on
| this first day has won a magnificent
victory by maneuver as skillfully pre-
pared as it was valiantly executed /
| extend to you as well as to the officers
and to the troops under your command
my warmest congratulations"
| From Marshal Haig: "All ranks OF
| the British Armies in France welcome
with unbounded admiration and pleas
ure the victory which has attended the
| initial offensive of the great American
Army under your personal command.
I beg you to accept and to convey to
| all ranks my best congratulations and
those of all ranks of the British under
my command"
| From Gen. Hartford: "Congratula-
! lions on your birthday and your fine
work thereon. Nearly three hundred
years ago Oliver Cromwell on the 18th
of the month of September went into
battle quoting Psalm SO, now the Epis-
copal morning prayer for that date:
Let God arise, and let his enemies be
scattered; let them also that hate him
flee before him. Like as the smoke van
isheth, so shalt thou drive them away "
To the latter I replied: MANY thanks
for your birthday telegram. Your old
division might well be termed the Iron
sides, though I doubt whether they
went to battle quoting Psalm 3d."
Tomorrow: Pershing reviews st. Mi
hiel accomplishments.
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