The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-05-21
Continued from last issue)
CHAPTER XIV

that evening AS this was exactly three
months after l had reached Paris, the
time seemed to be passing very rapid
ly, with little apparent progress
against the day when an American
army should be on the front line.
The Importance of shipping for
America was beginning to be consid-
cred in allied circles. 1 received
letter from General Robertson, British
chief of staff, who spoke of their in
creasing losses and of his anxiety re-
garding the voyage of our troops
across the Atlantic. AS to tonnage
for us, he said, it was entirely between
Great Britain and ourselves, as none
of the other allies could furnish any
to speak Of.
On top of this, in conference a few
days later with Lord Derby, the Brit
fish minister of war, was told that
his government could not be counted
on to furnish us with ships as trans
ports.
The substance Of General Robert
sons letter was cabled to Washington,
suggesting the Importance of taking
advantage of the opportunity offered
to obtain additional shipping. A few
days later we were told that needful
arrangements for transatlantic trans
ports were being made by the ship
ping board.
Gloomy Time for Allies.
There was little in the general stu
alton to give comfort to the allies.
Losses by the British through continu-
ing operations were still growing.
There no longer remained any doubt
as to Russia's fate, and it was conse-
'quently certain that German troops on
that front would be released for serv-
ice in the west. Under the circum-
stances the tired allied people were
easily Influenced by rumors.
The pope's proposal, issued in Au-
gust started some talk of peace, but
as 1t failed to condemn Germany's vio-
lation of treaties and her inhuman sub
marine warfare, the note did not make
a favorable impression on the allies.
In fact, it was criticized in terms, that
were not at all moderate. The vari-
GUS replies from the different govern
ments did, however, arouse some hope,
which was altogether unwarranted by
the real attitude Of the belligerent
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 un-
easiness among both civil and military
leaders.
From our sources of information,
which included the intelligence bu-
reaus Of the allied armies, we got the
impression that Austria, Bulgaria and
Turkey would make peace on any reas-
enable terms if they could do so.
Visits Artillery School.
The military post of lie Yaldahon,
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.
The school at Valdahon was then
under the direction of Brigadier Cen
eral March, an energetic and alert
commander. At the time of my visit
the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh regi-
ments, comprising the field artillery
brigade Of the First division, were
there for training.
As to the signal corps, and its prog
ress, Colonel Russell, before leaving
Washington, had ordered large con-
signment Of material for both tele-
graph and telephone services, but so
far none had been received except
what was sent with us on the Baltic.
Finding it necessary to establish our
own service in Paris, where the city
system was almost useless, we were
fortunately able at once to obtain
enough material for the purpose In
England and France.
Telephone Girls on the Job.
The signal corps had, Of course, to
anticipate the communications neces-
sary in battle. Therefore definite de-
cisions were required some time in ad-
vance as to spheres Of operations.
Tons Of material, most Of which, ex-
cept wire, was obtained in France, and
any amount of labor was used in the
actual installation. The main tele-
phone and telegraph lines in proximity
to the actual battle area were, when
practicable, laid underground to pre-
vent destruction.
One of the crying needs when we
once began to use our own lines was
for experienced operators. Instead of
trying to train men of the signal corps
requested that a number Of expert
enced telephone girls who could speak
French be sent over, and eventually
we had about 200 girls on this duty.
No civil telephone service that ever
came under my observation excelled
the perfection of our system after 1t
was well established. The telephone
girls in the A. e. T. took great pains
and pride in their work and did 1t