These were days when wonders were performed by the Medical Departments
of the Allied armies, and the work of the Red Cross was almost as
important as the work of the soldiers. Relief for the wounded had to be
undertaken and carried on a mammoth scale. Many of the doctors, nurses,
orderlies and ambulance men lost their lives while making efforts to
rescue the wounded.
These were days when the German leaders were filled with the pride of
victory. They were talking now about a hard German peace. On June 17th
the German Kaiser celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of his accession
to the throne. He talked no more of a war of self-defense, but declared
the war to be the struggle of two world views wrestling with each other.
"Either German principles of right, freedom, honor and morality must be
upheld, or Anglo-Saxon principles with their idolatry of Mammon must be
victorious." He sent congratulations to Field Marshal von Hindenburg, to
General Ludendorf and to the Crown Prince. Von Hindenburg assured the
Kaiser of the unswerving loyalty until death of Germany's sons at the
front, and concluded "May our old motto 'Forward with God for King and
Fatherland, for Kaiser and Empire' result in many years of peace being
granted to your Majesty after our victorious return home."
But the terrific attacks which the German commanders directed upon the
Americans at Chateau-Thierry and at other points upon the southern lines
show well that they knew that there was another danger rising to
confront them; that during their great drives a million and a half
American soldiers had been learning the art of war, and that every
moment of delay meant a new danger.
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