January 11, 1918 - Winston Churchill speaks to American Luncheon Club

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Don Martin diary entry for Friday, January 11, 1918:

Went to luncheon of the American Luncheon Club at the Savoy, as guest of Mr. Underwood of N.Y. Winston Churchill made speech saying that winning of war depends on America, who must act quickly. [Viscount] Northcliffe [British publishing magnate], Ambassador [Walter] Page [U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain], Admiral Simms [Commander of U.S. Naval Forces in Europe] and a lot of other distinguished men were present.

Winston Churchill, Minister of Munitions,
17 July 1917 - 10 Jan 1919

Later went to the War office and saw Sir Edward Carson [Member of War Cabinet; Irish politician] who says he doubts if the League of Nations dream can ever be realized. Had dinner at Simpson’s. Then went to Fleet St. after getting ready a letter to Mr. Bennett telling him what I think ought to be done here.

Am amazed at the pessimism everywhere regarding the outcome of the war. Everyone now seems to think that the Allies have their hardest fighting ahead to whip Germany and may not do so. America has a different notion of things than we have here but no information can get by censor.

Weather fair but cool.

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October 14, 1918: Don Martin’s funeral service in Paris

A funeral service for Don Martin was held in Paris on Sunday, October 13, 1918, at the American Church, rue de Berri. The New York Herald published this report on Monday, October 14, 1918. MANY FRIENDS AT CHURCH SERVICE FOR DON MARTIN Simplicity and Sincerity of Character of “Herald” Writer, Theme of Dr. Goodrich’s Sermon Funeral services for Don Martin were held yesterday afternoon in the American Church in the rue de Berri. They were simple and impressive. Before the pulpit rested the coffin, over which was spread the American flag. Floral offerings were arranged around it. Flat against the wall behind the pulpit were two American flags and the tricolor, and on either side were standards of these two emblems. Uniforms of the United States army predominated in the gathering of 200 persons composed of friends Mr. Martin had known for years at home and friends he had made in France. The depth and beauty of character which drew these old and new

Welcome to Don Martin blog on Armistice Centennial Day

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We have reached the end of the Don Martin World War I centennial memorial blog. Starting on December 7, 2017, this daily blog has chronicled, in 315 postings, the remarkable story of my grandfather’s contribution to the Great War. This blog was possible because of the availability of my grandfather Don Martin’s diaries and his letters to my mother, and his published writings in the New York and Paris Herald. We have followed him from leading political reporter of the New York Herald at the end of 1917, to head of its London office in January-March 1918, and then to France as accredited war correspondent covering the American Expeditionary Forces, based first in Neufchateau, then in Meaux, Nancy and finally for a few days in Bar le Duc. And then, his final return to his hometown in Silver Creek, New York. Don Martin has given us a full and insightful, if grim, picture of the Great War, as witnessed by the American war correspondents. We have seen

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