Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-08-24
100000 U.S.TR00PS
ARE NOW IN FRANCE
General March Finds War Situa-
ton Favorable; Says Ameri-
cans Deliver the Goods.
BY Associated Press TO Every Evening

BY Associated Press to Every Evening
Washington, Aug. 24-The total mum
Der of soldiers embarked now has passed
the 500, 600 mark, Gen. March, chief of
staff, announced TODAY.
Commenting upon the military situa-
tion, the chief of staff pointed out that
since last Wednesday the French advance
has continued from the plateau overlook
ing Novon, down To the Oise river, making
a maximum advance for these troops Of
nine miles since August Is This has
forced the enemy back across the Disc.
HAIG DUPLICATES FRENCH SUCCESSES
The French success. he said. has been
duplicated bv the British, who inaugural
ed an attack "Wednesday south of Arras.
Rapidly advancing. the British reached
depth of three miles, but their progress
has been held up by German counter at-
tacks The railroad 70 ArraS still Is IN
German hands. according to latest ottlcial
advices. and the Germans are utilizing
largely in their defense the railway en-
banknents.
The British thrust Thursday in the
Albert region resulted IN an important
advance between the Ancre and the Som
me rivers, which, Gen March said, has
developed n new salient
| he rest Oh llit csAA1t " NNAt't'NA.'F
has been reasonably quiet. he SAID. the
allied activities being confined TO nib
bling" tactic and artillery fire.
q. :. MEN DELIVER THE GOODS.
General March spoke warmly OF the
achievements Of the American soldiers N
France The American soldier deserves
the confidence Of the American people
he said Every time they have been test
ed, they have absolutely Delivered the
goods.
Every man who has served with Amer
lean troops has absolute confidence in
them. he added. citing he reports made
to him personally by American officers re-
turning from Franco 10 take higher rank IN
new divisions one Of these described an
action in which an American division
captured Is German guns and brought
them back At the rear Of army trucks.
TOOK 10 GERMAN BATTERIES
This division at the same time captured
3. 500 prisoners. Another American d.
vision in a SINGLE action. took ten complete
German, batteries and presented them to
Gen. Pcrsni-g
General Marsh said statements he
made recently in hearings before the
military committees were the results Of
cold-blooded military opinion and were
not intended To raIse the hopes OF the
people. He apparently referred 10 his
testimony that an army OF four mlilOn
Americans could WIN the war next wear.
In answer 10 questions, he sand the SD
Division PENNSYLVANIA and Ohio troops
is serving as replacement division, the 31th
Division Ohio troops Is IN the Fourth
Army Corps
10Th DIVISION IN FRANCE
The 10Th Division District of Column
bia, MARYLAND and Pennsylvania troops
has reached France and Is In training IN
the rear of the line.
No recent reports have come 70 the
department from Gen PerShlng regard
ing progress in the organization OF the
first field army. General March was
unable to saw whether the Americans
divisions forming this army have been
concentrated in a new American sector.
CASUALTIES LISTS AUTHENTIC.
Members Of the Senate Military Com
ni,tcc were assured bv Gen March at
their weekly conference today that stories
of great unpublished American casualties
overseas are wholly false and that All
casualties among the cXpcditionary forces
are given to the public as promptly as
the cables can transmit them.
The chief of staff, witho i discussing
in detail the great allied forward move
ment now under way, said the situation
On the western front now was decidedly
favorable 10 the Allies
Further Improvement IN the shipping
situation was noted and Gen. March
said the program OF transporting troops
to France was going ahead without change