Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-16

had been In the service a year and the
thought of possible immediate activity
with such inexperienced leaders was
not reaSSuring.
It was source of real regret to me
not to command the 1st Division in
person, and this, coupled with the fact
that its entry into the battle was OF
considerable moment, led me to speak
word of confidence and encourage
ment. When the officers, about 900 in
all. were assembled in the grounds of
the chateau occupied as division head
quarters they formed rare group.
These splendid-looking men, hard
ened by the strenuous work of the Fall
and by two months in Winter trenches,
fairly radiated the spirit of courage
and gave promise that Americas effort
would prove her sons the equals Of their
forefathers.
shall lay aside modesty and record
some of my remarks. spoken under the
inspiration Of the moment:
General Billiard and officers Of the
1st Division:
You have now been on French soil
10 months and you have carried out a
progressive system of instruction under
varied circumstances. You have lived
in billets, according to the custom of
European armies; you have served in
different sections of the trenches as a
part of your training and have taken
on a military complexion akin TO that
of our allies. Off1cers of the allies, in
passing Judgment upon your work, have
expressed themselves as completely sat-
isf1ed. I, myself, having witnessed your
maneuvers and closely followed the
progress of your work in the trenches
and elsewhere, now express myself as
we'll satisfied. I believe that you are
we'll prepared to take your place along
with the seasoned troops of our allies.
War Itself Real School.
But let us not for a moment forget
that while study and preparation are
necessary, war itself Is the real school
where the art Of war is learned What
ever your previous instruction may have
been, you must learn in the actual ex-
perience of war the practical applica-
ton of the tactical principles that you
have been taught during your prelim-
mary training.
Those principles are as absolute as
they are immutable. Whatever may be
the changing conditions of this war,
those principles remain practically the
same, and you should constantly bear
them in mind. Now that you are 60
ing to take place in the line of bat
tie you will be called upon to meet con-
ditions that have never been presented
to you before.
When confronted with a new situa-
ton do not try to recall examples given
in any particular book on the subject;
do not try to remember what your in
structor has said IN discussing some
eY1ariol Y0rnhlora. Gn not fYyy IN rT1y in
your minds patterns of particular eX-
ercises or battles, thinking they will At
new cases, because no two sets of cir
cunstances are alike; but bear in mind
constantly, revolve In your thoughts
frequently and review at every oppor-
tunity those we'll established general
principles so that you may apply them
wiaen the time comes.
II have every confidence in the LIST
Division. You are about to enter this
great battle of the greatest war in his
tory, and in that battle you will rep
resent the mightiest Nation engaged.
very appealing thought and one that
should call forth the best and noblest
that is In you.
Example TO Other Units.
Centuries of military tradition and
Of military and civil history are now
looking toward this first contingent of
the American Army as 1t enters this
great battle. You have behind you
your own national traditions that
should make you the finest soldiers in
Europe today. We come from young
and aggressive Nation. We come from
a Nation that for $50 years has stood
before the world as the champion of
the sacred principles of human liberty
We now return to Europe. the home
Of our ancestors, to help defend those
same principles upon European soil.
Could there be a more stimulating
sentiment as you go from here to your
commands, and from there to the bat
tlefeld?
Our people today are hanging ex-
pectant upon your deeds. Our future
part in this conflict depends upon your
action. You are going forward and
your conduct will be an example for
succeeding units of our Army. I hope
the standard you set will be hight
know it will be high. You are taking
with you the sincerest wishes and the
highest hopes Of the President and all
of cur people at home.
II assure you in their behalf and in
my own of our strong belief in your
success and of our confidence in your
courage and in your loyalty, with a
feeling of certainty in our hearts that
you are going TO make a record Of
which your country will be proud"
The LIST Division saw its first major
offensive some six weeks later, a bril-
liant counter-attack at Cantigny, in
the Amiens sector.
Called on Gen. Foch.
That afternoon I motored to Sarcus
ID see Gen Foch and sound him out
regarding the prospects of uniting our
divisions in q sector of our own.
told MIN that the Secretary of War,
when in France. had expressed an
ernest desire TO hasten the formation
Of an American army and that this
was also the wish Of the President.
It was my opinion, said, that early