The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-12-04
GERMANS Try TO
IGNORE ENTRY OF
AMERICAN ARMY

American Army Of Occupation, SUM-
day, Dec. mo demonstrations either
friendly or hostile, marked the entry
OF Major General Dickman's army into
Germany today The frontier was
crossed early in-the day and by night
fall the Americans had moved forward
twelve miles, reaching RaGden on the
left and Saarholzbach on the right.
The line extended along the Saar river
and through Saarburg and Thieves.
The reception given the Americans
differed from that encountered in Lux
emburg and parts of Belgium and
France. There they were welcomed
as delivers by almost all OF the popu-
lation. The attitude of the popula
ton Of Rhenish Prussia was different.
Not single act of open antagonism
was reported, but it was evident that
even the children had been schooled
carefully in the role they must play.
Officers and men were not sur
prised by the lack Of display OF flags
and the absence of the cheering
crowds to which they had been accus-
toned, but they did not expect the
calm silence with which the advance
patrols and the columns of marchers
received.
On the Luxembourg side of the Mo
selle river the streets Of the villages
were filled with those out to say good
bye to the departing troops or by those
Who paused to or from church. Across
the Moselle the streets of the villages
were almost deserted, Perhaps IS per
cent of the population remained within
their homes and in majority Of cases
the blinds were drawn. Here and there
German stood in the doorway watch
ing the troops pass and occasionally
groups assembled at street corners,
but there were no signs of either plas-
sure of disapproval.
Larger crowds were encountered in
Treves, the largest place occupied,
later in the day, but even there most
Of the people kept moving. maintain
ing always a studied air of indiffer-
ence. So far as possible the men in
khaki were ignored. Once in a while
the youngsters under years of age
were carried away by the excitement
and displayed enthusiasm over the
marching troops. but their forgetful-
ness was corrected promptly by some
older person.
Bridadier General Preston Brown,
the military governor for occupied ter
ritory has established his headquarters
at Treves which also has been made
advanced general headquarters.
General Pershing Will spend part of
his time at Treves. Civil affairs will
be directed by Major General Harry
Smith.
The troops marched into the head
quarters town with bands playing, but
the music and presence Of dozens of
high ranking American officers failed
to jar the population from its atti-
tude of calm silence.
A curious feature Of the situation
was the presence along the line of
march Of large numbers of discharged
German soldiers. both officers and
men. still in full uniform. Along the
roads and in Treves these gray clad
men moved in and out OF the groups
of men in khaki or stood on the side
walks watching the marching columns.
At several places in the city and in
the country districts Germans, armed
with rifles, We're seen acting az civil
ian guards They had been placed
there by the German authorities to
maintain order.
A number Of the released allied sol
diers appeared within the American
line as it advanced. Some of them
had been set free by the retreating
Germans while others had been per-
mitted to escape
Inc aiueQ cOmHl1SSloHS winch nave
been in communication with the Ger
mans have notified the local authori
to, both in Teves and in other places
that where the civilian authorities
are not troublesome and where they
cooperate with the forces Of occupa-
ton, they will be permitted to remain
at their posts and will not be disturb
ed except insofar as it is Necessary for
the carrying out of military measures.