Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-12-02
By Webb Miller

Omitted Press staff Correspondence
With the American in Prussia, Dee.
l.--(Via Courier to Nancy, Dee. ~ ~
The Third army today occupied about
400 square miles Of German territory.
including scores Of towns and villages
The Americans encountered littlo
hostility from the inhabitants. While
hundreds lined the streets in Treves,
there was absolute silence as the tired
sixth infantry Of the Fifth division
marched in and occupied the city.
Five hours before the official entry
into Treves, an American train arrived
at the Trevcs station. 1t was composed
of captured locomotive and cars and
was In charge Of the Thirty eighth
engineers. They left Vcrdun and
crossed the frontier simultaneously
with the troops. They made the trip
without incident and reported that all
tracks were intanct and the crews work
ing, as specified in the armisticc.
When I entered Treves, hundreds Of
civilians were crowded at the station,
staring at the train. The streets were
filled with we'll dressed people. Many
discharged Soldiers were iningling with
the crowds Strcetcaf service contin
ued, several cars passing through the
marching columns.
Band Played American Airs.
Wish band playing American
marching airs, the Americans swung up
the principal street. A hush fell on
the city and the people were strangely
quiet. They did't talk, even among
themselves.
Policement appointed by the local
workmen s and soldiers council aided
in clearing the streets. The doughboys
mostly looked neither to right nor left
but marched quietly to the barracks IN
the center Of the town. The command
ant had arranged for the furnishing Of
wood and forage.
General Parker commanding the
First division, at the head Of the com
pany Of the Sixteenth infantry, was the
first 10 reach the outskirts Of Trcves
All the other troops, with the exception
of tho Sixth infantry, skirted tho town
The band was playing and regimen
tai flags flying as the regiment swung
thrdogh the principal streets, led by
Colonel Henry Hunt. The people stood
staring curiousiy or followed quietly
behind the Americans. The streets
were patrolIcd by deputies Of the local
workmen Is and soldiers council, who
wore white arm bands and carried RI
files.
Church Bells Tolled.
During the march throrgh the city
church bells tolled and American air
planes ciclcd overhead. Both the Ger
mans and the Americans maintained a
certain aloofness and there was little
fratcrnization The doughboys main
tanned an soldiersly, dignified attitute
While there was considerable crowd
on the streets, the majority of the peo'
pie stayed indoors and peeped through
the windows. Not a single German flag
could be observed anywhere.
The Americans began their march in
TO Prussian territory shortly aftc,
dawn. The Third division crossed the
MOScIlc III tne region Oi htmlcHt Inv
First near Grayenmaeher; the Thirty
Second farther north and the Second
in the region of Eehternach. The whole
front advanced with the 1Moselle as an
axis.
Aroused Before Dawn.
Before dawn the men were arouscd
ate q hasty breakfast and fell in. All
the roads toward the Moselle were soon
iammed.
Generals Lassitcd Lcpeune and
House rode ahead of the advance guard
at the points of crossing and were the
first Of the army of occupation to oc-
cupy Germany. ~
Within half an hour after the gener-
ais had crossed the river the valley was
alive with khaki columns. There was
some cheering as the doughboys first
stepped onto German soil. But as a
rule the proceeding was very quiet and
bHsincsslike.