The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1931-05-22
General PerShinQ'S
Story of the A. E. IF.
By Gen. John i. Pe1.szaiz1g

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 a 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 1t 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 ami France.
The signal corps had, of course. to
anticipate the communications neces-
sary in battle. Therefore definite de-
cisions were required some time in adj
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 it
was well established. The telephone
girls in the A. E. F. took great pains
and pride in their work and did If
with satisfaction to all.
The Hospital Problem.
The medical departments plans con-
stantly received my careful attention
through frequent conferences with the
chief surgeon, Colonel Bradley. and his
assistant, Colonel Ireland. Our prob
lem of handling the sick and wounded
was more difficult than that Of any of
the allies, as we had no civil hospitals
of our own available. Full provision,
therefore. had to be made for hospital
accommodations in France, as only
convalescents manifestly unfit for fur
Their service could be sent home The
early estimates submitted in August,
based upon a small force of 100000
men, called for $4,000 beds in perma-
nent, temperament or temporary hos
pitals. and plans for expansion were
in hand TO keep pace with the expect
ed requirements of our armies once
they should become engaged While
this beginning appeared quite liberal,
yet 1t was calculated to meet further
demands of the immediate future.
All the facilities through France
were available for the French. yet
they had so many sick and wounded
that their hospital resources were
pretty well exhausted. AS there
seemed to be only few suitable build
ings that could be assigned to US we
had to plan considerable new construc-
ton. This required additional labor
and material. both of which were
scarce and although there was some
delay we managed by persistent effort
to keep pace with requirements.
Danger of Coal Shortage.
The destruction by the German
army Of the mines of northern France
had forced the importation from Eng
land Of large proportion of the coal
needed for various purposes in both
France and Italy. Lack of cross-chan-
mel tonnage had produced a serious