Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-31
Three Killed, 5 Wounded,
IL. Captured in First
Enemy Raid Against
American Troops.
IST DIVISION GETS
BAPTISM OF FIRE
Baker Suggests March
to Be Chief of Staff
Upon Retirement of
Scott and Bliss.
CHAPTER Xxx.

~ ton was disturbed by a German
raid on an isolated post of the
10th Infantry, November 3, 1917. A
group was caught in a box barrage and
although the men made courageous
resistance, were killed, wounded
and IL captured.
These we're the first casualties that
had occurred in our Army to units
serving in the trenches. The dead were
Corpl. James B. Gresham and Pvts
Thomas F. Enright and Merle D. Hay
all Of Company F.
The French took charge OF the fu-
nerals and turned out a formal guard
In addition to our own. The services
were conducted by the French Gen.
Bordeaux, who came with his full staff
and delivered a beautiful grafton over
the graves. A large number of French
troops also came informally to pay their
hnal tribute. This joint homage to our
dead there under the fire of the guns
seemed to symbolic the common sacri-
noes we were to make in the same
great cause.
More Observers Arrive.
returned to Chaumont November 9
from Paris, accompanied by Charles
Crane and Joseph E. Willard, Ambassa-
dor to Spain.
Another group of division command
ers arrived in France on that date as
observers. This contingent included
MAI. Gems. William M. Wright James
Treat, st. John Greble, Francis Ker.
nan, A. P. BloclIsom, william Sage and
George Bell. Wright, Treat, Herman
and Bell later served with the A. E. F.
The ammunition question again be-
came acute at that time, despite our
agreements. with the French and their
positive assurances that they would
make prompt deliveries, but their ex-
PLANTATION was THAT we had not rfur-
nished the full amount of raw material
required.
In my early reference to the pros
poets of procuring artillery of rs nm.
and 155 nm. calibers, and ammunition
for its use. it had been expected that
nothing should diminish our efforts at
home in their manufacture, but when
the probability Of delay and possibly
failure OF the French to furnish ammu-
nltlon for these guns was reported to
washington my cable met with the
eomplacent reply, much to my surprise,
that the French government must fur
rilsh it, for there is no other way of get
ting 1t. At the present time there is
not In this country any actual output
OF ammunition of the types mentioned.
As the French contracts covered only
part Of the amount deemed necessary
1t waS-not understood why the Ordnance
Department chad done nothing. We
were already behind in steel deliveries
to the French by over 10000 tons: the
supply OF powder and explosives was
still uncertain, and the prospect of
placing further contracts, or even Of
obtaining regular deliveries on those
already placed, seemed doubtful
The establishment of our own sources
OF supply at home appeared vital, and
setting forth the above situation by
cable I added: "F cannot too strongly
urge the greatest possible expedition in
the production Of artillery material and
ammunition in America
Home Ports Overcrowded.
The difficulty of providing the French
with raw material was largely traceable
to the lack Of shipping, and of course,
the unScientifc use of what we had.
The fact is that the ports at home were
overcro@ded with all sorts Of material
and supplies awaiting vessels The
French had over 500, 900 tons of sup
plies at seaboard which they were un-
able to move, and were clamoring fer
10000 tons additional of steel rails
The War Department had purchased
over 100000 tons of rails for us, but
had been able so far to ship only So
600 tons. The optimistic promises Of
the department Of month or so previ-
Gus that there would be plenty Of ship.
ping now began to look visionary.
. AS the situation in which we found
ourselves regarding artillery ammuni-
ton was approaching crisis, 1t became
necessary to lay the whole question be-
fore the Interallied Munitions Board.
After full investigation of their re-
sources, both the French and British
concluded that they could undertake TO
meet our requirements, with the dis
tinct understanding that their plants
must be greatly increased in capacity
and that we should furnish raw mate
rails promptly.
The late Gen. Tasker H. Bliss, chief
OF the War Department general star,
represented Us In the allied Conference
and reported the results and agree
ments reached. He had brought the
latest data from home, and his knowl-
edge concerning steel and munitions
enabled him to give valuable assistance
to my chief Of ordnance in our efforts
to find solution to the difficult nnu.
nitions problem. He also strongly re-
inforced my appeals for motor transpor-
tat4On and urged the manufacture at
home of heavy guns and ammunition.
A letter from Secretary of War Baker
dated September 10 had only recently
been received and gave me an idea Of
some Of his problems. In part, he wrote
AT present it seems questionable
whether should come to France. If
it were possible for me to go incognito
and go over the situation with you on
the ground without the Interruptions
which would be necessary were 1t
known tbat.f was IN the country .;
while If I undertook to visit both Lon
don and Paris; my trip would be
deemed to have a diplomatic character
which would be inopportune If notfem-
barraSsing. Moreover, 1t seems impor-
tant for me not to relax my personal
supervision Of the preparation Of sup
plies and men to be forwarded just at
\ this time. But I am hopeful that ! can
camps are thoroughly established and
our preparation going forward a
smoothly as trust it soon will, an alb
sence would be less dificult here and
perhaps more helpful TO you.
| Meanwhile, am sure you viii un-
| derstand my frankneSs when tell you
that youf course, from the moment you
landed In England, has given both the
| President and me the greatest sattsfac-
ton and pleasure. As you know you
started with our full confidence, but
we feel happy to have our judgment
justified, as It has been at every point
by your discretion, tact and effective
SThs work Of preparing the Army
here has gone forward with remarkable