Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-02
SUCCESS REPORTED
AGAINST SEA FOES
Second War Council Held
at Versailles With u. S.
Represented by Col.
House and Gen. Bliss.
BY GEN. JOHN ]. PERSHING,
in Chief of the American Elk

BY NIkNs -
Commander in Chief Of the r AmsFie en- Ex-
"A N American mission, headed by
N Col. E. M. House, arrived in
N France toward the end of No
\ vember for an interallied con-
ference. Other members OF the
mission were Admiral w. s. Benson,
Gen. Tasker H. Bliss, chief OF staff
oscar T. Crosby for the Treasury De-
partment, Vance Mccormick, chairman
of the War Trade Board; Ba1nbr1dge
Colby, Shipping Board; Alonzo E. ray
Ior, Thomas N. Perkins, War Industries,
and Paul Cravath.
This conference had been planned be-
fore the meeting Of prime ministers az
Rapallo which brought the Supreme
War Council into existence. It was one
of those assemblies of allied repre-
sentatives held occasionally for the dis
cussion of problems of common interest
concerning the conduct OF the war. 1ts
purpose in the present instance was TO
consider the most efficient means by
which the resources in men ana mate
rial of allied countries, including the
United States, could be utilized.
News From Sea Hopeful.
In an early informal discussion with
Mr.. House and Gen. Bliss I gave them
an outline of our situation, our rela-
lions with the allies, the progress OF
our plans and put before them our
urgent need for men and material OF
all sorts.
AS the representatives Of different
nationalities gathered in Paris, recent
REPORTS of decreasing losses OF ocean
tonnage and greater destruction Of
German submarines, with prospects OF
still further improvement, seemed TO
give more hopefulness in the general
situation. and allied spirits were some
what revived.
The British had won at Cambria and
were making satisfactory progress IN
their advance on Jerusalem, which, II
was said. would be facilitated by the
use of their new base at Jana. Inc
Italians seemed to have recovered their
morale to a limited extent, with the
stiffeniur of their lines by British and
French divisions, and had successfully
held their own against the Austrian
attack on the Piave.
In Switzerland the economic conces-
sIons by the United States as to cotton
and credits were hailed with satisfac-
ton, which, coupled with exports by
the French, made it practically certain
that Switzerland would remain neutral,
although there had been noticeable
increase in pro-German sentiment there
following the italian disaster, with talk
Of q possible German invasion OF East
ern France through Switzerland.
On the other hand, some rumors
we're heard of a German-Bulgarian Of
fensive against Saloniki, while the
armistice on the eastern front con-
firned the worst fears regarding Rus
STA The successes Of the Germans In
Italy had given rise to peace hopes
among their people which proved to be
embarrassing to the new chancellor,
Won Hertling, but he had apparently
established an accord among the lead
ers OF Prussia, South Germany and
tro-Hungary.
Power of U. S. Decisive Factor.
Not the least hopeful thing was the
step Just taken toward unity of COM
mand In the creation of the Supreme
War Council. But the decisive factor in
the whole situation, If 1t could be utll-
tied in time, was the tremendous eco
nomical and physical power Of the
United States. To make that available
before IL was too late was the problem
upon the solution Of which depended
the success of the allied cause. Would
the allies see it and would they work
together to solve 1t?
My diary notes the following:
Paris. Thursday. November 29, 1917
Had Mai. Gen. II. L. Scott, observer, as
guest on Tuesday; brought him to Paris
last night. Have named Maj. Gen. F. j.
Herman as commander Of line of COM
munications. relieving Brig. Gen. Pat
rick, who will direct all construction.
Brig. Gen. B. D. Foulois appointed chief
of the Air Service, vice Kenly.
This morning, accompanied by Har-
bord, attended interallied conference
held at the French ministry of foreign
affairs. Afterwards conferred with
Foch, Robertson, Bliss and Vance Nc
Cormick.
Took Thanksgiving day lunch at
Hotel PalaiS d'Orsay with American
Club. Heard good speeches by Viviani,
Lawrence Benet, cambridge Colby and
Tardieu. Called at our embassy and
afterward on Gen. Robertson.
Have cabled Washington that heavy