Subscribers enjoy higher page view limit, downloads, and exclusive features.
GERMANS' DISMAY - ATU.S.BLOWTOLD Might Have Changed Tactics if Number in France Was Known, Says General. BY EDGAR ANSEL MOWRER. By Cable to The Star. / BERLIN, Germany, March '9.—“The remarkable thing about the Americans was that we never could believe they ‘were there at all. Had we realized the American numbers it is possible that our offensives in the Summer of 1918, which definitely exhausted our army, would not have occurred. We might have retreated to a short line along the Meuse and defied the allies to come to dig us out, meanwhile asking for Euce and obtaining better terms. But . Ludendorfl’s stubbornness and our disbelief in the presence of your troops revented such an idea, which might ve changed history.” 8o spoke Lieut. Gen. Georg von def Lippe, retired, who happened to face Gen. Pershing’s Army in the late Sum- mer and Autumn of 1918, in an inter- view today. Effect of U. §. Army. “We never really believed that Ameri- cans in any considerable number would reach France. The effect of their sud- den appearance in the lines opposite my division at St. Mihiel salient was to depress the already somewhat low- ered German morale. Furthermore it must not be forgotten that we had al- ready half resolved to evacuate thé salient, but this work was only half carried out because the supreme com- mand hesitated. The' soldiers had heard of the coming evacuation. The Americans attacked from both sides like pincers, hoping to pinch off lon. The artillery prepara- tiom was short, but terrific. My divi- sion, the 31st from Alsace, had arrived from Flanders only a few days before for a “rest.” The American attack was carried out very bravely and I person- ally saw Germans abandoning their tions—something that” would have ot been done without a harder fight it there had not been preparations for evacuation. Eventually we had to yield the entire salient.” “I opposed the Americans during our Tetreat and their advance through the Argonne country. They were fine fel- lows, foolishly brave, as young soldiers are. But this excessive self-exposure ‘was bound to depress veterans like ours who were at the point of exhaustion. Our army was not the old army of 1916-17. It was tired, with reduced numbers and Bolsheviks from the rear had already begun to attack its morale. If our men had been fresh, the already costly American advance through the dificult Argonne country would have been an even bloodier affair since we could have defended every hill to the Americans Kept Going. “Just before the armistice my di- vislon was some 50 miles north of and had successfully prevented ur boys from cross the River euse. We simply drenched them in artillery fire, which must have caused heavy losses, but aftér each repulse they tried again as though nothing had ned. Foolish but admirable be- havior.’ “I understand that* Gen. Pershing the American eastward of the ‘Woevre l;mn wu:‘um ‘as the ob- ” 1 sald, “but we were Pleld Marshal Haig and );.IW rshal ‘Would that have been strategi- better for the ™ Metz was so strongly defended by forts and trenches that your losses would been terrific. I think you did better to choose the Argonne country, hard though it was.” Comparison of Armies. “What was your opinion of the com- | My Experiences in the World War BY GEN. JOHN J. PERSHING, Commander in Chief of th S.0.S.UnderGen.Harbord Inspected and Found Functioning in Good Order in All Phases. OFFICERS REPLACED ON DUTY AT PORTS Suggestion for Training Camps in Italy for U. S. Troops Blocked by Wire to Foch. | E progress and acquaint myself, the chief of staff and Gen. Harbord, by actual observation, with conditions. The tour was made also with a view to such changes in personnel and im- provements in methods as would insure the complete fulfillment of the increased obligations imposed upon the Service of Supply by the tremendous task of receiving, storini, and trans ng the enlarged troop and supply shipments. Our first stop was Tours, which, [ing the location of the headquarters of the 8. O. S, with a huge American military garrison of 2,400 officers and 4,360 men, had become a beehive of activity. We went directly to Gen. Kernan's headquarters to meet the as- sembled chiefs of services, and to re- ceive their verbal reports and discuss the situation in their respective spheres. British Women on Duty. We visited every activity at Tours, beginning with the Central Records Of- fice, a branch of the Adjutant General's Office of large proportions, where the personal records of every man in the A. E. F. were kept. We found that the railway operators, numbering thousands, comfortably situated in portable bar- racks at Camp de Grasse, were putting every energy into the service, Certain engineer troops were kept at this cen- tral point for raflway work, re to respond to calls from any direction. ‘The well managed camp of German prisoners, under Col. Groome of the Military Police, contained several hun- dred men.used as laborers. A number of British women, known as the Women's Auxiliary Aid Corps, were lent to us by their government to assist in clerical work. The 250 women located at Tours occupled neat and comfortable temporary barracks and presented a very military appearance on parade. Some 50 of them were ill in quarters at the time and I gave in- structions that they should be trans- ferred to our hospital. Besides giving efficient and reliable service officially, these fine women, under the proper re- that prevailed, became valued addition to the social sige of life where they were stationed. This force with us eventually numbered about 5,000. ‘The Base Hospital at Tours was then filled with men wounded in the recent igagements. They were receiving the best of care under Col. A. M. Smith and his efficient group of medical offi- cers and nurses. Speaking to the men in our &G&fid‘. I tried to '::ld‘timlr how mu country appreciaf e assured them no efforts be spared to hasten their re- CHAPTER LVIL ARLY in August, 1918, T made an inspection tour of the Service of Supply, to-note the Where He Was Wounded. Passing through the various wards of this hospital, I spoke to a fine-looking young soldier who was sitting up in bed, and asked him where he was wounded/ meaning to inquire the nature of his wound. In reply, he said: “Do you re- member, sir, just where the road skirts a grove and turns to the left across & wheatfield and then leads up itive qualities of the armies?” l-gver the brow of the hill? Well, right “The English infantry were fine soldiers, but the French artillery was superior. Not owing to the material, but to the manner of firing. English gunners seemed to lack imagination. I @m an artillery general and I came from the eastern front to Flanders at Christmas, 1917, opposite the English. When the English began to shell our batteries, the men simply left the guns 200 yards behind, counted until 300 shells had been fired, then returned and sat up our battered cannon, knowing that the British would fire again, but that it was finished for a time. “With the Prench you never knew. ‘They fired viciously, straight and al- ‘ways by surprise.” 'n_Pershing implies in his me- molrs that a kind of jealousy between the French and English commands pre- vented proper co-ordination which gave you great advantage. Were you Ger- mans aware of such jealousy?” Strategy of Attack. “No, but naturally all armies with di- vided- commands suffer.” “Why did you direct the March, 1918, offensive against the junction of British and Pre troops?” I asked. “Because that was bound to b: the weakest point in the Allied lines, if only owing to language difficulties and, be- cause we wanted to split the Allied army, realizing that the British all along had sought to mak: a kind of a local war to protect the channel ports. Had we succeeded, the war's outcome might have been otherwise, but per- haps, the Americans could even then have saved the Allies, I shall never forget my surprise and dismay at seeing masses of your troops which we sup- posed were still in America.” (Copyright, 1931.) MRS. CANTWELL RITES Burial of Native of Ireland Will Be in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Agnes Cantwell, 68 years old, who died Sat- urday at her home, &11‘ Sixteenth street, will be conducted there at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning, to be fol- lowed by mass at the Church of the Nativity at 9:30 o'clock. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Mrs. Cantwell was a native of Coun- ty Limerick, Ireland, and came to the United States when 15 years old. She resided in Washington continuous- ly. Besides her husband, James Cant- well, she is survived by a son, T. A. Cantwell. She was active in the Catholic Church. Bahs Reported. The following births have been reported {2, the Health " Depariment i’ the last 34 ot - 358 e B, o % and J Walker. girl. e, aBd Evelyn & Mopics, sirl Hazel Hunter, it here, sir.” He was clearly describing the ad- vance south of Soissons which pierced the Chateau Thierry sallent. Of course, I was not there at the time, but it touched me that he should feel that I must have been very close to him. The Aviation Instruction Center for Observers, under Lieut. Col. 8. W. Fitzgerald, gave us a favorable lmm sion in every particular. While I said a few to the smart-looking company of mechanicians on the im- portance of their work. At the end of our inspection, Col. Boyd and I went for a walk and inci- dentally visited the fine old pension in which I had spent two happy months with my family in 1908. beautiful garden, the shade trees, the swing, the children's sand pile, all were the same, but the place had changed hands and I was a stranger. On _the way to our train I went to e Y. M. C. A. hut and was greef by a large crowd of men who had fin- ished their day's work and had gath- ered there to enjoy the facilities for reading and recreation which our people at home, through the Y. M. C. A..’. so generously provided our troops abroad. Blocked Camps in Htaly. During the evening the deputy chief of staff, at Chaumont, reported by telephone to my train that the Supreme War Council had recom- mended that the United States establish a few training camps in Italy, with the idea that the presence of American | soldiers would stimulate the morale of | the Italians. I was opposed to any dis- persion of our forces and at once tele- graphed Gen. Foch to that effect. Al- though he was also against it, 1 feared he might be persuaded to recommend it and that the War Department might fail to see it was’ not the innocent proposition it appeared to be. My tele- gram seemed to settle the question, as nothing more was heard of it. At Bordeaux I spoke to the colored stevedores for a few minutes, telling them something of my service with a colored regiment and how proud we were of its conduct in the Spanish- American War. Amonlhother ings, I told them that later they might have the honor of serving as combat troops at the front. At the conclusion of my talk, Col. Boyd, my aide, asked one of the cor- porals if he understood what I had said, and inquired whether he would very seriously: “¥es, sir, I understood, but, colonel, I wish you would please tell’ the general that I am very well chief surgeon of the Base Section, we found about 500 df our wounded, most : of them soon to be sent home. No mat- ter how severely wounded they were, I never heard a word of complaint from any of our men. There could not have been found in the hospitals of any army cheerful lot. It was a lesson in 8 | dling 42,000 arriving like to take part in the fighting. After | some hesitation, the corporal replied | Salvation Army lassies make a hit with their ples. e e American Expeditionary Forces. to be wanting. In view of the necessity of promptly meeting our new obliga- tions, several of the principal officers at base headquarters were replaced by others of greater energy. We arrived at Brest August 2 and found the commanding general, G. H. Harries, and staff at the station to mest us. Section No. 5 was around Brest, our leading port of de- barkation. The section included four French territorial departments. An- other leading port for troops was Cher- bourg. A large locomotive terminal and repair shop were located at Rennes and a coal port at Granville. It was a reminder of frontier days to see Harries. After the cam) agains the Sioux in 1890-1891 we had been together for several months at Pine Ridge Agency, South Dakota, where he ‘was a member of & ission sent to investigate the Indiafis™ troubles and settle their differences with the Gov- ernment, while I commanded a com- ny of Ogalala Sfoux scouts. At his E:‘aqlumn ‘we met Adm. Wilson, who, under Adm. Sims, was commanding the Naval District. It was very gratifying to hear from both of these commanders how perfectly they were pulling to- gether. After an inspection of the storehouses and the new construction for additional storage on the piers, I asked for the chief stevedore, Maj. O'Neil, who came up apparently quite embarrassed. To put him at ease I took Him by the arm and we walked together to where some lighters were being unloaded. As the port had made the record of han- troops and their ge in one day, May 24, entirely H‘{hurl. 1 asked him to tell me baggal with about Worked in Shirt Sieeves. Bg‘ thllid tlme‘h&n:u?o o;'ercome his !Hfi 3 , _poin wo _officers, each down in the bottom of a lighter directing the work, he said: “Sir, do you see those two captains down there In their shirt sleeves? Well, that's the secret. I sy to them: ‘Don’t stand off somewhere and puff yourselves up in your uniforms, but take off your Sam Brownes and your coats and get down close to your men.’ “Of course, those captains have now become _experts. I did the same thing when I started, but since they are trained I manage things generally and they carry out my orders. I can wear my uniform, now that I have won the right to wear it.” “Well,” I said, “O'Neil, you're just the man I have been looking for, and 1 am going to send you to every port we use to show them your secret.” We next went to the large French infantry barraeks at Pontanezen. There was a German officers’ prison camp at Fort Penfield, nearby, which we found in satisfactory condition. Incidentally, it ‘was everywhere noticeable that whether in prison or at work the German sol- dier always retained his military bear- ing and his excellent discipline. 8. 0. 8. on Sound Basis. Notwithstanding the difficulties en- countered in perfe g the organiza- tion of the 8. O. 8. and the several changes found necessary, the solutions of the problems generally were being worked out through the co-operation of able med in every line, and it was evident that the plans of organization itself of this vast structure were on a sound basis. With some improvements in methods and a more aggressive spirit in some quarters there could be no ted | question that it would be able to meet the utmost requirements. My visit of inspection put befgre the personnel the vital significance of suc- cessful effort and of increasing their energy. To relieve the G. H. Q. of many de- tails involved in handling questions of supply, which had been retained under its direct supervision during the forma- tive period, it was decided to transfer to the 8. O. 8. the control of procure- ment, reception, maintenance and dis- tribution of supplies. Large questions of policy and the immediate direction of military transportation and supply in the zone of the armies and the de- termination of quantities and the con- trol of munitions remained under G. H. Q. The promise with which the new arrangement began almost immediately to operate afforded a definite indica- tion of early and permanent improve- ment. Some idea of the magnitude of this great supply organization of the A, E. F. may be obtained by nvm& the num- of men employed in the problem of supply. August 1 there were 1,169~ 062_officers and enlisted men in the A. E. P, of whom 275,000 ined to the 8. which was bel equir Store Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday ujlt | S, ments, as the proportion estimated for the work was about one man in three. ‘There was scarcely a town in France south of the latitude of Paris with rail connections with our main railroad arteries to the front that did not have some important American activity con- necct;dsvllth the A. E. F. through the Makes Report to Baker, Bpeaking of the situation in a cable to the Secretary of War August 7, I said, among other things: “I have just returned from a, thor- ough inspection of the Service of Sup- | ply, having spent & day at each of the western ports of France and visited all of the principal depots, remount sta- tions and hospitals. The work accom- plished surpasses all calculation and is a monument to the abilities of the men who during the past year have devoted their best energies to carrying out the great plan. The results are especially gratifying in view of the handicap of the shortage of labor and material that has existed since April on account of tonnage being devoted to transportation of combatant froops to the exclusion of 8. O. 8. troops. I am satisfied now that we have bullded properly and that there is no question whatever that the g:ru and our Service of Supply will able to provide for the needs of our extended program. * * * “Rigbt now there is a capacity ap- proximating 25,000 tons per day at all our ports, including Marseille, and this will continue to increase pari passu with our needs. Port efficiency will in- crease with experience and additional men and equipment. * * ¢ “With the increesed personnel and material called for, the rail facilities will be adequate. There need be no worry as to our ability to handle sup- plies as fast as our expanding tonnage require. Even with scant labor supply we have repaired sbout 13,000 French cars and a proportionate num- ber of engines. * ¢ * Never Short of Food. “Notwithstanding the scattered units of the command, supply trains have never failed to reach our troops, who have never been short of food for a day. *** “A change of the system to one of co-ordinate control is not indicated. Although there h2s been some lack of push in the 8. O. 8, yet I am as con- fident of the perfect working of the organization under the selected head, Gen. Harbord, as I am of ultimate military victory. He has taken hold in splendid fashion. I "shall transfer to bim the entire subject of routine sup- mfl related subjects, including tion of cable business with the War Department on such subjects. There is no sort of doubt in my mind that the Service of Supply with him at its head, under direction of the Gen- eral Staff, will continue to function satisfactorily regardless of the size of this command, leaving me free to de- vote my attention to the military prob- lems, ®¢ “There is no line of cleavage between the supply of troops and their tactical operations. All must be under one head to insure success. It is a sound military principle, the wisdom of which the ex- peh;lenc_e gained in all wars has clearly shown.” Regar relation to raillway procurement at home, it was fortunate that Mr. Samuel Felton, who was in charge, should have been in Prance at this time. With the limited amount of sea transportation avallable, he had done everything pos- sible to help equip and man our rail- ways, but' the immediate cry was still for more locomotives, more cars and rt equipment. With the ever-increas- demands, we had only about 7,600 cars, -with about 21,000 on order that we had urgently asked for. Looking into the nexj year, to meet our 3,000,000 program and allowing for all that could be bullt or repaired in France or ob- tathed elsewhere, we would need to re- celve from home over 60,000 more cars by the following July. Troops Given Precedence. As to locomotives, it was the same story. We had obtained only 555 en- gines from the States, and our actual needs by July, 1919, would be about| 3,000 more, or about 250 per month from then on. Many other essential articles of equipment vitally needed to for the prompt dis- vessels had not yet arrived. there seems never to have been a clear conception at home of their relative value, It should be remembered, ho ever, that troop shipments had prol Closed On Account of Death of Mr. Samuel Saks - |the Alaskan Division, United States | been connected for 27 years, died at his | forestry and zoology. He was elscted to ding our rail situation in its 1 ably absorbed the attention of the home authorities the postponement of many other demands. ‘Tomorrow: Pershing embarrassed when Poincare kisses him as he bestows 1931, in all countries decorations. (Copyrisht, the Noth American Newspaber-Aliance, "World rights reserved, including the Scandinavian. Reproduction in whole or in part prohibited.) HENRY D. ALLER DIES AFTER HEART ATTACK Alaskan Division' Chief of Bureau | of Fisheries to Be Buried Tomorrow Afternoon. Henry D. Aller, 51, asslstant chief of Bureau of Fisheries, with which he had home, 1427 Chapin street, yesterday following & heart attack. His body will be taken from the Hines Funeral Home today to Gladstone, N. J.,, where Ma- sonic rites will be held tomorrow afte: noon. Mr. Aller was a graduate of Rutgers and Cornell, where he took degrees in Phi Beta Kappa, nauonal honorary scholastic fraternity. In 1903 he joined the staff of the Bureau of Pisherfes, and went to Alas- kan waters on his first assignment. In 1908 he became director of the Marin: Biological Laboratory in Beaufort, C., but in 1911 was again transferred to Alaska, remaining there until 1923. Since that t!me;:; };l.l‘ been cg’ninh.u; ously on duty in Washington. 3 H written a number of books on Alaskan fishing. Bzfm his widow, Mrs. Barbara Bart! Aller, he is survived by a 10- yeer-old daughter, Jean, and a_sister, Mrs. Cornie Peebles of Newark, N. J. MISS BERTHA L. HAWES, FORMER TEACHER, DIES Native of Philadelphia Had Taught in Private School Here—Funeral to Be Tomorrow. Miss Bertha L. Hawes, a former private school teacher here for a num- ber of years, died in Emergency Hospi~ tal yesterday after a short iliness. Funeral services will be conducted at the Hines funeéral home, 2001 Foyrteenth street, tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Rev. Dr. A. J. McCartney of the Church of the Covenant will offi- ciate. Interment will be in Glenwood Cemetery. Miss Hawes was a native of Philagl g delphia and attended Wellesley College. is survived by a sister, Miss C. Hawes, head of the Latin nt, District of Columbia Pub- lic Schools, and three brothers, Edward 8. Hawes of West Hartford, Conns Wil- Dr. Alfred T. Hawes of Lynn, Mass. Mlu'-hfllwu resided here at 3121 Six- Teste itl . . . and leam how delicious it is. Then est 2 or 3 bars every day . . . end find how good It is for you. Buy it conveniently in the . . « We Are Ready to Supply Your Every Food Need! Choicest cuts of meat in season—Fresh Killed Poultry—or Fish, Hric“ within the reach of ever; Store—look around. We want quainted with our extraordinary chandise. Grocers to Particular People for More able Needs and Quality Groceries—all the favorite brands y purse. Stop in your nearby ou to visit us and get ac- values—our fine, fresh mer- Than Forty Years! ) Genuine Lamb |Shoulder Chops ..Ib. 21c | Shoulder |Round Bone ghopl ..1b. 25¢ Mild Cured Corned Brisket Beef.............. | Large Smoked Skinned Hams (Whole or Half) , Halibut S! |Fancy Large Perch.........Ib. 10c e Fancy Pan Trout..... .1b. 10c |Fancy Large Croakers .1b. 10¢c Stewing Lamb. ... .....3 Ibs. 25c| e e S L s Briggs Pep Roll. ...........1b 35c | Pork Liver.............3 Ibs. 25c e ———————————————————————————————————————————————————— l In Our Fish Department ! Select Oysters. ..... R ve el o vises T SN .1b. 21¢ .1b. 39¢ Opysters. .. ;‘ca Week in Our Stores! [d This is a splendid opportunity to test the Quality, Bouquet and unusual flavor of our Teas—make the test today. % 1b. pkg. % b, pke. l7c . India Ceylon Old Country Style or Orange Pekoe Mixed i House of Lords Tea............ v veoe Y4 Ib.pke. Plain Black 23¢ Campbell’s Salada or Lipton’s Orange Pekoe Tea % 24c SOUPS Prim Choice Rice Reg. 20c Calif. TUNA FISH FISH 3ne19¢|2 < 35¢| 2 == 25¢ Table Needs—Reasonably Priced! Finest Alaska Red Salmon....... .tallcan3l¢c Gorton’s Codfish Cakes....... 2 cans 25¢ Ready-to-Serve Mackerel ..can 10e White Norway Mackerel.. .4........cach 5S¢ 37 Wet Pack Fancy Shrimp. .iv..can 15¢ Gorton’s Clam Chowder: ..can 12¢ Campbell's Clam Chowder..... ..can 10¢c seséan ’ (Assorted) 3« 25¢ 4500 Tomato Catsup 2 . 25 ‘ Choice’Golden Wax : Beans 219 4sC0 Coffee Prices Are Lower ed ASCO COFFEE....................... ™ 3¢ MUY VICTOR COFFEE .................... ™ 2lc The Biggest Bread Value We Know of! Bread Supreme 2 ;. 1 5. Victor Bread Pound Pan Loaf 5c A Delicious Golden Spread for Bread Gold Toal Finest Rolled White Oats Quick Co’ok or Regular. Derryda Reg. 20c Chipso 2 e 37e Norwalk Razor i of 19 Refreshing Beverages Clicquot Club Golden Ginger Ale. A4SC0 Grape Canada Dry #Rob Roy Ginger Ale. .. .3 bots. 25¢ #4500 Ginger Ale. ......3 bots. 25¢c ” *Plus bottle deposit. ASCD Best Whole Grain Rice 2 Ib. pkgs. 25¢ B Paper Shell Almonds........Ib-21lc Fancy Florida Grapefruit: . . .2 big cans 29¢ California Peaches. . ... .tall can 10c Broken Slices Hawaiian Pineapple big can 22¢ . R/ Farmdale le California Seedless Raisins Ib. 19¢ asco Panc:ke Buckwheat ! ...bot. 14c 1 Juice. .. ....3 bots. 50c N Ginger Ale. .3 bots. 50¢c Fresh Prunes. .big can 19¢ . Strawberries. . . . .tall can 25¢ ASCO Finest Tomatoes.3 med. cans 25¢ Tender Peas. .. .2 cans 25¢ Delicious White Marshmallows. . . .. .1b. 19¢ Finest Fresh Produce!: Large Extra Fancy Florida Grapefruit 4«25¢ ancy Cooki Crisp Yellow Onions . . 41-10c ples . 5us24e Red or Yellow Sw. Potatoes, 4 . 19¢ Fresh New Cabbage . . 4ws17c Curly, Norfolk Kale . . 3mns.25¢ Extra Fancy Boxed Apples, 4 1= 29¢ Fla. Best Oranges . 29cdo- 35¢ dor. ; anges . 29cdo: 3 Beets and Carrots % ;loro—*mmcz‘fl‘l: :Dh::y'—.l f doz. o 3bun-: szoc in your nearby he last 40 yeara. R,