Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-26
Staff Amused at Chiefs
Futile Effort to Make
Child Understand Him
at Birthday Dinner.
POPE'S PEACE NOTE
SPURNED BY ALLIES
A. E. F. Installs Its Own
Telephone Lines and
Tackles Probe m of
Providing Hospitals.
CHAPTER XIV.


had come. including a surprise
4 party by my staff that evening
AS this was exactly three months
after had reached Paris the time
seemed to be passing very rapidly.
with little apparent progress against
the day when an American Army should
be on the front line.
Winter was approaching, with the
prospect OF increasing hardShipS for the
troops and the people. These thoughts
were not particularly cheerful, but there
was a lighter side. The wishes OF good
fortune that came from all parts OF
our country showed a widespread solicit
tude in our behalf and revealed anew
the sincerity of the patriotic sentiments
that so strongly supported us. Although
we could but look forward to the serv-
ice ahead of us as being full OF dif-
ficulties, yet, with the Nation behind
U.S. there was much of encouragement
to be garnered from the day.
Gen. Wirbel gave luncheon Tor me,
a graceful gesture that indicated an
attitude of good will in the community
toward Americans. AS Madame Wir-
bel and her daughters received us, I
was attracted by the youngest, beau
tiful child of six, and undertook to chat
with her in French. AS she did not
reply to my questions, / asked, Com
prenez-vouS?" when, with childish
fra nkness, she replied '.No," much to
the amusement of several of the less
respectful members of my staff.
Occasion Was OppOrtune.
Although prompted by the most
friendly and hospitable spirit. the lunch
cons given by the French and the teas
by the British, each constituting what
f4N1an
did not especially appeal to busy Ameri-
cans This occasion was, however, OPP
perfume. as it brought together officers
Of the two armies who were to be close
~ allied in service.
The Importance of shipping for
America was beginning to be considered
in allied circles. received a letter
from Gen. Robertson, British chief OF
staff,. who spoke of their increasing
losses and of his anxiety regarding the
voyage of our troops across the Atlantic.
AS to tonnage for us, he said it was
entirely between Great Britain and our
selves, as none of the other allies could
furnish any to speak of.
He suggested that Admiral Mayo and
should go TO London TO consider with
the Admiralty shipping arrangements
needed for American troops the follow
ing year. His letter showed an awaken
ing as to the need of cooperation in
this important respect.
On top of this, in conference few
days later with Lord Derby, the British
minister of war, I was told that his
government could not be counted on TO
furnish ships as transports.
The substance of Gen. RobertSon's
letter was cabled to Washington, sug-
costing the importance of taking adj
vantage of the opportunity offered to
obtain additional shipping. A few days
later we were told that needful ar
rangements for transatlantic trans
ports were being made by the Shipping
Board. This information was contained
in the following cable:
President of the United States says
question of shipping is being looked
now being made would be confused by
such conference as you suggest. Our
shipping must necessarily be supplied
by ourselves and Shipping Board here
is in direct conference with British
authorities controlling their shipping. "
British Losses Growing.
The question of the greatest impor-
lance to the allies, although they had
heretofore failed fully to appreciate 1t,
was not whether our troops should be
used as requirements or as an indie
pendent army, but whether we should be
able to get them over at all.
There WAS hCtle in the general situa-
ton to give comfort to the allies. Losses
by the British through continued opera
tons were still growing. There no long
er remained any doubt as to Russia s
fate, and it was consequently certain
that German troops on that front would
be released for service in the West.
Under the circumstances, the tired
allied peoples were easily Influenced by
rumorS.
The Pope's proposal, issused in August,
started some talk of peace, but as 1t
failed to condemn Germanys violation
of treaties and her inhumane submarine
warfare the note did not make favor
able impression on the allies. In fact,
1t was criticized in terms that were
not at all moderate. The various replies
from the different governments did,
however arouse some hope. which was
altogether unwarranted by the real at