Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-07

however, the hope was held on. by both
of them that they would be able to help
us by the time we should need them.
While this conference was primarily
for the exchange of views, it decidedly
confirmed the principle of corporation
and emphasized the wisdom Of having
| q co-ordinating mead for the allied
forces. The conclusions agreed upon
by all concerned, though more or less
tentative, became the basis Of action for
the future. The general plans definitely
contemplated that the American forces
would constitute an independent army.
Although Gen. Petain and myself had
definitely planned the transfer of the
line north of Toul to American control,
the demands for our divisions during
April and May had been so great that
this could not be done Later, when 1t
was agreed that the Americans should
take over the sector as soon as four d.
visions could be united there, the Ger
man assault on the Chemin DIES Danes
had disrupted the plans and our most
effective divisions had to be sent to
the Chateau Thierry front.
Thus each successive German of1en-
siYe had brought a crisis followed by
pressure for modification of plans and
arrangements for the shipment of
troops and for changes in Their location
In France, and each had operated to
delay the time when an American Army
could be assembled.
1t was imperative that we should
meet these conditions and furnish
American achievements ito save the
battle" as the French put, it, although
sending our regiments brigades or divi-
sions for the purpose caused a wide dis
PERSONS of American units that rem
dered difficult their re-assembly into a
Self-contained American Army, now that
the time had come to take that step.
The worst feature was that the special
shipments during the preceding three
months made the organization of army
corps and armies impossible without OBJ
tanning, temporarily at least the French
or British units corresponding to those
We had omitted.
100000 Americans in France.
Notwithstanding these things, the
situation demanded very definite I'M
Outstanding. The allies were resuming
offensive operations, the enemy seemed
to be committed to the. defensive, and
we now had more than 1,200,0 900
American soldiers on French soil. The
important part our divisions had played
gave me every reason to press my de-
termination to have our own army It
for the moment where the necessary
combat units should be assembled,
whether near Chateau Thierry or else
where, as any front other than that in
the northeast would probably be tenn
porary.
While at Gen. Foch's headquarters
arranged with Gen. Petain for the ex-
pansion Of the list Corps, then operat-
ing in the Marine sector, by which four
IN "a
the line, with two in reserve. 1t was
my hope that this would be the basis
for the preliminary formation Of an
American Army on this front. En- route
to Chaumont stopped to call on Lig-
gett and apprise him of the possibility
OF additional American divisions Tor
his corps.
The Supreme War Council was prone
to listen to suggestions for the use OF
than the western front. One Of these,
on which the British seemed to be es-
pecially insistent, was to send troops
to help the so-called White Army in
Russia. TO keep open the communities
tons through Murmansk, in che Arch
angel.
] was opposed to any such idea, as
1t would simply mean scattering our
resources, all of which were needed
bllC WNobGA4A AlOnbs DuS AICoaANAib
Wilson was prevailed upon to help, and
was directed to send a regiment, pro-
vided Gen. Foch had no objections. AS
apparently he had already considered
the question, he gave his approval, and
regiment was accordingly sent. The
339th Infantry, Lieut.. Col. George K.
Stewart commanding, together with
one battalion of engineers and one
field hospital, were designated for this
service.
wilson's Statement.
The statement of aims and pur-
poses Of the United States which the
President handed the Ambassadors Of
Great Britain, France and Italy q few
days later, July %, and which was ca-
bled to me. set forth at some length
in diplomatic language the position Of
the United States ia the war and policy
with regard TO sending troops to Russia,
It began by saying: The whole
heart Of the people Of the United
States Is in the winning Of this war.
kEhe controlling purpose, Of the Goy-