DISCLOSES WAR SECRET.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 2, 3 January 1924, Page 3

DISCLOSES WAR SECRET.

»■ WHO WOK THE WAX? (Prom Our Own Correspondent.) SAX FRAXCISCO, December 4. Once more that liardy perennial of who won the World War has bobbed up to the surface in America, with the old-time response, and on this fateful occasion it fell to the lot of Representative Julius Kahn, of California, to relate in Washington some heretoforeuntold history which i 3 claimed to throw neu- light on the assertion of European statesmen that their countries fought the World War with blood while the United States fought with dollars.

The veteran chairman of the House Military Affairs Committee, who in spite of the fact that he is a Republican was called upon by President Wilson to lead the tight for America's selective draft law, was prompted to reveal what transpired under the greatest secrecY by the attitude of the powers abroad* toward their debts to the United States Government, to use the words of the Hearst prints.

Mr. Kahn was particularly exercised over France's policy of refusing even to negotiate a funding arrangement, while "spending money right and left on a huge standing army, the world's greatest aviation force and in other ways." Here is Representative Kalin's story in his own words: "When war was declared hy the United States. Kngland and France sent missions i ■ this country. Lord Curzon headed the English mission. Yivani and Joffre,- who had just retired as Oommander-in-Chief of the French army, were among the French Commissioners. The two missions asked the State Department to» be permitted to talk to about twenty-five members of the House and Senate. Permission -was granted and that number of Senators and representatives were invited to the home of Henry White, former Ambassador to France. •Joffre said to us 'Gentlemen, we are told you will not be able to send any men across the ocean for a year. I want to say this: If that is the ease you don't need to send them at all. Gentlemen, Iwe arc licked. England and France, are licked. You alone can pave them. The only way you can pave them is by comijicr" to our relief immediately. One of your American divisions under your army regulations', lias 27,000 men. That double the number of men in an .English or French division. It is made up of men who have lioen in the army at least one year. Their morale is established. , "•Send us that division; Tet one half of it parade down the streets of London and one halt down the streets of Paris. England and France then will know the Americans are coming in earnest. The English and French soldiers then will be willing to die ill their tracks before surrendering' one foot of land. That's the oTily way you can be of service to us.'" ltepresentaiive Kahn continued: "This meeting took place in the latter part, of May, 1017. As v result the lirst division sailed for France on June »>, and paraded down the streets of London and Paris on July 4. The. people of both cities cheered themselves hoarse at the mere sight of American soldiers and word of their arrival was flashed among the allied troops at the front. ■

"Tliis one fact restored tlie couragu of the English and French ami made it possible for Americans to will the war. "When they talk of having Tvoti the war without us, they arc simply, making themselves ridiculous. The incident I have related occurred in the strictest secrecy, but the time is vipc now to *-~il it ell."