The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1931-08-21

the future definitely at 3.OOO.oOO men
as minimum, and urged upon the
War department the utmost effort to
meet our immediate requirements for
the expansion of port facilities and
railroads detailed study of the
troop shipments and tonnage required
was included. My cable closed:
There is nothing so dreadfully i'm
portant as winning this war; and every
possible resource should be made i'm
mediately available. Mr.. Secretary,
the question is so vital 10 our country
and the necessity of winning the war
is so great that there is no limit to
which we should not go to carry out
the plan have outlined for the next
ten months, and we must be prepared
to carry it Oh still further after that
at the same rate or maybe faster"
CHAPTER XVII
The Thirty-second, Thirty-fifth,
Forty-second and Seventy-seventh
divisions were now in training
under the recently organized Third
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 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
possible attack.
My prediction for detailed instruc-
ton 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. 1t was not
difficult to guess the origin of this sort
of propaganda. AS a matter of fact,
none of these troops had been in line
except in quiet sectors. Those l 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 a 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.
Clemenceau at Chaumont.
Prime Minister Clemenceau, General
Foch and NJ. Andre Tardieu, with Gen.
erals Weygand and Mordacq, came to
Chaumont June %, 1918, for a confer
ence on the increase Of American man
power.
Nj. Clemenceau's popularity In
France was probably at its height. AS
this was his first visit to Chaumont
the people turned out en- masse, crowd
ed into the plaza and gave him a rous-
ing welcome. His reception within the
hotel de Vile by the officials. civil and
military, was marked by eloquent
speeches. In his remarks M. Cemen-
ceau gave the people every encourage
ment, making special reference to the
increasing forces the Americans were
sending over.