The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-08-20
CONTINUED from last issue)
CHAPTER XVII


corps. Especial effort was being
made to hasten their preparation
in both staff and line in anticipation
of an early call for more serious serv-
ice.
inspected these troops June 1922,
1918, and my impressions were favor
able, although a number of officers
were found unfamiliar with the prin-
ciples Of tactical leadership. In such
hastily trained units this was hardly
surprising, especially in view Of the
known defects of the instruction at
home.
Many were found with but slight ap-
probation Of the natural defensive
possibilities of a given position. Some
battalion and even regimental COM
manders had not thought to ascertain
the exact location of their front lines,
and of course had failed to work out
the details of preparation against a
possible attack.
My prediction for detailed instruc-
tion in minor tactics, growing out of
my personal supervision of training in
both small and large units, led me
quickly to discover deficiencies.
My diary notes the establishment Of
the military board of allied supply at
this time, June %. 1918. 1t was ex-
pected to study questions of supply
and adopt proper measures for the CO.
ordination of allied resources and
utilities.
COL Charles G. Dawes, who had
charge in a more limited sphere of
the coordination of our own supply
departments, was detailed as the
American member of the board.
Lauds Courage of Negro Troops.
Cables from the War department
June % stated that the cOlored people
at home were being told that negro
soldiers in France were always placed
in the most dangerous positions, be-
ing sacrificed to save white troops,
and were often left on the field to die
without medical attention. It was not
difficult to guess the origin of this sort
of propaganda. AS matter of fact,
none of these troops had been in line
except in quiet sectors. Those had
recently seen were in fine spirits and
seemed keen for active service.
The only colored combat troops in
France were those Of the Ninety-sec-
ond division, then in quiet sector in
the Vosges, and the four infantry regi-
ments of the Ninety-third, each at
tached to a French division. Several
individuals serving with the French
had already received the croix de
guerre for conduct in raids.
Cemenceau at chaumont.
Prime Minister Clemenceau, General
Foch and NJ. Andre Tardieu, with Gen
erals Weygand and Mordacq, came to
Chaumont June %, 1918, for confer
ence on the increase Of American man
power.
NJ. Clemenceau's popularity In
France was probably at it's height. AS
this was his first visit to Chaumont
the people turned out en- masse, crowd
ed into the plaza and gave him rous-
ing welcome. His reception within the
hotel de Vile by the officials. civil and
military, was marked by eloquent
speeches. In his remarks NJ. Clemen-
ceau gave the people every encourage
ment, making special reference to the
increasing forces the Americans were
sending over.
As we were leaving the widowed
mother Of a missing soldier, her only
son, came up in great distress and
told M. Clemenceau of her sorrow. He
spoke tenderly of her patriotic sacri-
fee, put his arm gently around her
and kissed her cheeks. mingling his
tears with hers. The pathos of this
touched every heart.
As General Foch and the others
were not arriving until later, NJ. Glenn
enceau and I, driving together, &C.
companied by Generals sWirbel and
Ragueneau in separate automobile,
went to the headquarters of the
Eighty-third division, Major General
Glenn commanding, which was billeted
at Montigny, not far from Chaumont.
We fell to discussing the probable
situation of the various allied coun-
tries and their relative standing after
the war. NJ. Clemenceau went to some
length in his conjectures.
Thought Britain Finished.
"Great Britain is finished and in my
opinion she has seen the zenith of her
glory" he said.
"What makes you think SO, Mr..
Prime Minister" asked.
"First of ALL" he replied, "the i'm
mense drain of the war will make it
impossible for her to retain CONNER
cial supremacy, and, second, the ex-
perience Of her colonial troops in this
war will make their people more in
dependent and she will lose her con-
troll over them"
could not agree with NJ. Clemen-
ceau's view and said: mfr. Prime
Minister, think you are mistaken
about the British, and l believe we
shall see her fully recover from the
effects of the war;"
Continuing I asked: what about
Frances future?"
"Ahl She will once more be the
dominant power in Europe" he replied.