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


A. E. F. switchboard.
titude Of the authorities of the bel
ligerent powers on either side.
The discussion was unfortunate be-
cause the French people, not realizing
that peace was improbable, lost some
of their courage, and the depression
from this and other factors caused
uneasiness among both civil and mill
tary leaders.
|, From our sources Of information,
which included the Intelligence Bureaus
of the allied armies, we got the i'm
preston that Austria, Bulgaria and
Turkey would make peace on any rea-
sonable terms If they could do so. But
the German Government dominated
the policy of all the Central Powers
and it was certain that any peace less
favorable to them than the status quo
ante would not be entertained.
The German military leaders thought
they would eventually win, and did not
believe that the blockade would produce
serious disaffection among the people.
In fact, with Russia now practically
out of the war, the German people
themselves, as well as their government,
feeling that this would give them an
enormous advantage which the Ameri-
cans would not be able to overbalance,
firmly believed in ultimate victory.
Attitude Of French.
NV cable to the Secretary of War
September IS, 1917, will show our esti-
mate of the situation at the moment
as far as the French were concerned:
There is considerable talk of posi-
bilities of peace this Winter and dis
cussion is heard among people of all
classes, including those high in military
rank Failure to stop German armies
and revolt among Russian troops have
had depressing effect upon allies.
Present French cabinet believed to be
strongly in favor of continuation of
war, but French people in state of mind
to accept any favorable proposition.
Believe that withdrawal of Germans
from Belgium with concessions as to
Alsace and Lorraine and return to
antebellum status in Balkans would be
hard for French to resist, especially
with the prospect of giving Germany
satisfaction from Russia. Recent
British attacks beginning with latter
part of July have been very costly, and
British morale not as high as two
months ago."
NY diary notes the following:
"Chaumont, Tuesday, September 10,
1917. Visited Artillery school at LIE
Valdahon on Sunday with Harbord, de
Chsmbrun, Boyd and Collins. Progress
Of Artillery and the instruction Of 100
young officers very satisfactory.
col. Russell called yesterday to urge
cabling for telegraph and telephone
material ordered before leaving WASH
ington.
Examined Medical Departments
plans today with Col. Bradley and find
good progress. There will be no repe-
tition of experience of 49,"
The military post Of lie Valdahon,
near the Swiss border, used by us as a
school for our Field Artillery, was one
of several which had been kindly set
apart for Americans in different parts
of France. The others were at Cost
quidan and Meucon, near st. Nazaire,
and at Souge and La Corneau, near
Bordeaux, and also at Montmorillon,
Saumur and Anglers. with a school for
Heavy Artillery at Mailly, southeast Of
Rheims.
Telephones inefficient.
The school at Valdshon was then
under the direction of Brig. Gen.
March, an energetic and alert COM
mander. At the time of my visit the
5th, 9Th and 7th Regiments, comprising
the Field Artillery Brigade Of the LIST
| Division, were there for training.
AS to the Signal Corps and its prog
ress. Col. Russell before leaving Wash
ington, had ordered a large consign-
ment Of material for both telegraph and