_War
Department_
_Office
of the
Under-Secretary_
_Paris, 23 May, 1916._
_Monsieur,--_
I know and value highly the very active part that you and your friends
have taken in the propaganda carried on in America, ever since the
outbreak of war, in favour of the cause of Right, which France and her
Allies are defending. I know, in particular, of your efforts to arrive
at a manifestation of the sympathy of your fellow citizens for our
gallant soldiers, by effective and practical coöperation in the work
of the French Sanitary Service. Therefore I am desirous of expressing
to you, with special emphasis, the perfect satisfaction which the
Automobile Sanitary Sections of the American Ambulance have given my
department since they first entered the service of our armies.
Thanks not only to their excellent material organization, but beyond
even that, to the courageous devotion of the picked personnel which
your country has sent us to lead them, these Sections are contributing
in the most gratifying fashion toward lessening the sufferings of our
wounded by shortening the agonizing hours that elapse between the time
when the soldier falls on the battlefield and that when he is able to
receive, under suitable conditions, the care that his condition demands.
Pray, therefore, Monsieur, accept for yourselves and convey to your
friends in America the assurance of my profound gratitude for the work
which you have planned and carried on so perfectly, and of which your
compatriots continue to ensure the support, both in personnel and in
supplies, with no less gallantry than generosity.
Accept, Monsieur, the assurance of my distinguished consideration.
(_Signed_) JUSTIN GODARD
_Monsieur_ PIATT ANDREW