CHAPTER XIV
THE CONFERENCE
It was now after noon and Hal knew that it would require swift drivingto reach Marshal Foch's headquarters, near Paris, before four o'clock,the hour of the conference. Nevertheless, the lad had perfect confidencein himself and his ability to handle the big army automobile, and hefelt quite certain that he would reach the French commander'sheadquarters before the appointed hour, barring accidents.
Both Hal and Chester were almost bubbling over with excitement, for eachfelt sure that he was to be present at a time when history was to bemade. Naturally, in spite of the fact that they had seen active servicewith the British and French, both had the utmost confidence in GeneralPershing and each was positive in his own mind that the counsel of theAmerican commander would prevail.
The trip passed without incident. Hal kept the huge car going at topspeed most of the time, slowing down only for the sharpest curves and toavoid possible collisions with cars approaching from the oppositedirection. Therefore, it was not yet half past three o'clock when theautomobile drew into the outskirts of the little town where FieldMarshal Foch, commander of all the Allied forces, had established hisheadquarters.
It became apparent as they moved into the village that news of theapproaching conference had spread through the troops. The British,French and what few American soldiers there were in that particularsector cheered wildly as the automobile bearing the Americancommander-in-chief flashed by.
Directly Hal brought the machine to a halt in front of a house somewhatlarger than the rest, over which floated the combined flags of the threenations--France, England and the United States. Hal guessed rightly thatit was in this house that Marshal Foch made his headquarters.
Before the building was a long line of French soldiers. To the right,these were flanked by a platoon of British, while on the left stood theAmerican guard of honor. Nearby was a large automobile bearing theBritish arms. Chester surmised correctly that Marshal Haig had alreadyarrived.
General Pershing stepped lightly from his car. Before moving away,surrounded by his staff, he motioned Hal and Chester to follow him.
The lads followed their commander up the short flight of steps andpresently he and his staff were ushered into a large room in the rear onthe first floor. At the door General Pershing was greeted by MarshalFoch and Marshal Haig in person, for the French and British commanderswere not standing upon ceremony.
Inside, the three commanders took seats at a table in the center of theroom, the members of their various staffs standing behind them. Besidesthe formal salutes when the three commanders met, there had been ahearty handshake all around. Now they were ready for business.
Marshal Foch arose and spoke to General Pershing.
"I have called this conference at your request, General," he said, "soit would seem to me that we should hear from you first."
Marshal Foch sat down and General Pershing rose to his feet.
"First, sir," he said, "I must explain the presence here of so many ofmy aides. Besides several members of my regular staff, I am accompaniedby two young lieutenants whom, if I am not mistaken, Sir Douglas Haigknows well. I refer to Lieutenants Paine and Crawford."
Marshal Haig nodded to General Pershing and then to Hal and Chester.
"I know them well," he said, and then to Hal and Chester: "Glad to seeyou again, sirs."
Hal and Chester saluted stiffly.
"I have brought them here," said General Pershing, "in order that theymay hear what I have to say, for it may be that I shall have need ofthem to prove to you the correctness of my views."
"You need make no apology for their presence, General," said MarshalFoch.
"Very well, sir," returned General Pershing. "I shall proceed."
Every ear in the room was strained to catch the next few words of theAmerican commander, for there was not a man in the room who did notrealize that it must have been a matter of prime importance thus tobring the three great commanders together. It is probable that most ofthe American officers present had a general idea of what GeneralPershing was about to propose; but neither the British nor Frenchcommanders or members of their staffs had had an inkling of it. Hal andChester listened eagerly for General Pershing's next words.
"I want to ask you, gentlemen," said General Pershing quietly, toyingwith a paperweight on the table as he spoke, "whether you do not thinkwe have remained passive long enough--whether it is not, in youropinion, time that we assumed the offensive rather than to wait untilthe enemy brings the fight to us?"
Marshal Foch and Marshal Haig were on their feet in a moment. MarshalHaig spoke first.
"You mean that you would have us attack at once?" he asked.
"I do, sir," returned General Pershing grimly.
There was an audible catching of breaths throughout the room. MarshalFoch was silent a full moment. Then he said:
"We haven't the men, general."
"Black Jack" Pershing scowled.
"What's the matter with the Americans?" he demanded. "I've a million ofthem over here and there are more coming. They've been here for monthsand have done practically nothing and they want to know why. What's thematter with the Americans, sir?"
Marshal Foch shrugged his shoulders and elevated his hands.
"But, sir," he protested, "they are untrained, unseasoned, raw troops.Surely you cannot expect them to stand against the enemy's veterans. Itwould be suicide."
"I agree with Marshal Foch," Marshal Haig interposed. "It is true theyhave proven their mettle wherever they have gone into action, but theyhave not had the training."
An angry light gleamed in General Pershing's eyes.
"They'll go any place you order 'em, sir. I'll stake my reputation onthat," he thundered.
A hush of expectancy fell over the room. The air was surcharged withexcitement.
In spite of the feeling of pride at his commander's words, Hal felt athrill of fear shoot through him. Was it possible that the heads of theAllied armies were about to quarrel?
But Hal need not have worried. Men like these did not indulge in foolishquarrels. They spoke strongly because they felt strongly, and eachrealized that the other was advancing views that he considered best.
General Pershing brought a clenched fist down on the table. Pens and inkstands jumped and rattled.
"I say that we have delayed long enough," he declared. "What have webeen doing to regain lost territory? Nothing. True, we've halted theenemy every time he struck, but we've not regained a mile of lostground. I say it's time to hit back."
"If we only had the necessary numerical superiority," said Marshal Haig.
"I tell you, sir," said General Pershing, "that my men can standup--yes, they can go through--the best the enemy has to offer. Theirmorale is the greatest of any army that ever existed. Order them todrive the enemy back, and they'll drive him back. I know what I amtalking about, sirs. Try them!"
Again there was silence in the room, broken at last by Marshal Foch.
"It is well," he said, "for a general to have that confidence in hismen; and I am sure that your men have every bit as much confidence inyou. I am impressed with your words; and yet I am loath to act on yoursuggestion with untried troops. I have seen such troops in action--thePortuguese. The enemy scattered them like chaff before the wind."
"My men are Americans, sir," said General Pershing simply.
"Oh, I know the traditions of the American fighting man," said MarshalFoch. "I know that the trained American soldier is the equal of any inthe world. But still I hesitate. If I could only be sure that the enemyhas exhausted himself in his latest offensive--if I only knew thedisposition of his forces--then I might act. I have, of course, ageneral idea of the enemy's activities, but not enough, I am afraid, inordering a grand offensive, as you suggest."
"I don't care anything about the enemy's positions," declared GeneralPershing. "What I say is this: Order the Americans to break the Germanlin
e and they'll break it!"
Again Marshal Foch shook his head.
"I am afraid the time is not ripe," he said sadly.
For a moment General Pershing seemed on the verge of making an angryretort. Instead, he said quietly:
"I was prepared to hear you advance such views, sir, so I have anothersuggestion to offer."
"Proceed, sir," said Marshal Foch.
"It is this," said General Pershing: "I want to ask you if you will acton my suggestion if I can gain for you such information as will convinceyou that the time is really ripe to strike? Will you act on mysuggestion if I furnish you with better figures as to the enemy'sstrength in the various battle sectors and the disposition of histroops?"
"Why," replied Marshal Foch, "if you can show me that the time is ripeto strike, of course I shall strike. But I fear that is a very largetask, sir."
"Very true, sir. Yet I shall endeavor to fulfill it. It was for thatreason, sir, that I brought with me the two young lieutenants Imentioned."
Marshal Foch surveyed Hal and Chester keenly.
"They are very young," he said deprecatingly.
"True," said General Pershing, "yet I say with all positiveness thatthey are among the most capable of my officers."
"I can vouch for that, sir," said Marshal Haig.
Again Marshal Foch surveyed the lads closely, much to theirembarrassment.
"Their names?" he asked of General Pershing.
"Lieutenants Paine and Crawford, sir."
"Lieutenants Paine and Crawford," said Marshal Foch, in a very quietvoice, "will you please step forward?"