Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-01

or elsewhere, with the least delay for use
in carrying our Armies to France.
"It should be no longer question OF
how much tonnage can be spared for
military purposes, but only the most
| imperative necessity should permit
its use for any other purpose. To secure
this result the whole of our shipping
ought to be Under War Department
control, and as much more obtained as
possible from neutral or allied sources"
Outcome Depended on America.
In this war, where the battle lines
extend across entire countries, and in
which the qualities of the opponents
were about equal the strategical aspect
largely resolved itself into a consider
alton of the number and location Of
divisions on either side. The situation
was Of such a character that it was
| a question which side could provide
the superiority of forces necessary to
success. In other words, the outcome
would depend upon the number OF
troops that Amvrica could send over.
All eyes were on the eastern front. To
allied statesmen the collapse Of Russia
meant possible grave political conse-
quences; to the allied commanders it
forecast the release of approximately
100 divisions and the increase in the
enemy'S ranks in Belgium and Northern
France to preponderance that could
not be overcome. To us 1t indicated a
race between Americas best effort to
pour our fighting men into France and
Germany's determination to crush the
allies before our soldiers could arrive in
sufficient numbers to dominate the
battlefield.
NExy
Paris, Sunday, November 10, 1917.
On Friday inspected trenches of the
1st Division, still in sector northeast of
Luneville. Saw several men who were
with me in Mexico. Visited graves of
three American soldiers recently killed
1.-The Painleve ministry has fallen and
M. Clemenceau succeeded in forming a
new ministry on Friday.
Reports from all quarters complain
of shortage 'of trucks. Sent cable dis
closing British control Of neutral ship
ping"
During my visit to the 1st Division
the officers of the French units serving
with our regiments spoke with deep
feeling of the first Americans to lose
their lives at the front. They praised
the bravery and courage of the detach-
ment as though the men had been their
own. The spirit of comradeship that
prompted such sentiment naturally
served to draw us closer together in
every way and stimulated cooperation
as to material things.
Reasons for Painleve Fall.
The downfall Of the Painleve govern
ment was not difficult to explain. The
general disapproval in France Of the
Supreme War Council. the alleged
timidity of the prime minister in not
pressing charges of disloyalty against
high French officials and the cumula-
tive opposition to the government by
many people looking for some one to
blame for their misfortune, including
Nivelle's failure, added to the general
air Of pessimism, were among the
principal reasons.
The main political fight against M.
Painleve was conducted by M.
Clemenceau, who, as president Of the
Legislative War Committee, had at
aimed an immense popularity among the
people because of his condemnation of
he alleged pacifliStic tendencies Of some
of the members of the ministry. 1t was,
therefore. logical from the French point
of view that he should be selected to
form the new ministry.
In the beginning as president Of the
council, NJ. Clemenceau lost no time
in taking steps to clear the administra-
ton Offices of red tape as far as pos
sible. He also took up energetically
the whole question of scandals and