Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 307, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1918 — FACING HARDEST PERIOD OF WAR [ARTICLE]

FACING HARDEST PERIOD OF WAR

AVERS FRENCH ENVOY, WHO SEES END IN SIX MONTHS?

The entente allies are entering the hardest period of the war, but a period which will prove richest in decisive results “if we know how to play a good game, and its issue will be decided in the next six months,” according to Captain Andre Tardieu, French high commissioner to the United States, who has just returned to this country. The commissioner first arrived in this country last May. lie returned to France m November and his government decided to continue his official title for six months. While Captain T ardieu pointed to the possibility of a strong German attack on the western front during this winter, he is “absolutely confident that it will be mother Verdun,” he declared in a statement. The urgency of an enormous economic effort was emphasned by the French representative in this statement. “This battle is not; only on the battlefield. I have told to the French, with complete frankness, America expects from them in the way of restrictions and new sacrifices. I'am coming back to here the necessary 1 sacrificed that France and her allies are expecting from America for victory.” Men, wheat, oil, ships and locomotives are the things most needed and which America is able to give, Captain Tardieu said. By way of tribute to Col. E. M. House, who headed . the American mission to. the inter-allied war conferencein Paris, the envoy said:. “Thanks to the presence of Colonel House and his associates, the interallied conferences done excellent work. It was necessary that the government of the United States should assert its will and its capacity to take in Europe the part which belongs to America in the direction of war, “The French army has never been more magnificent, the British army is equally superb, and the American army is increasing day by day,” Captain Tardieu said in speaking of the morale of the allied forces. That he might retain his commissionership to the United States, Captain Tardieu refused to accept a portfolio in Premier Clemenceau’s cabinet. <He did this, he said, because he believed nothing is more urgent and necessary than the work to be done through the commissionership.