Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-23
NEARLY ONE MILLION
TROOPS OVER THERE
General March Says United
States Is Five Months Ahead
of Schedule.
100000 IN LAST FORTNIGHT
Vital Factor Is Speed at Which
Soldiers Are Sent to
France.
100000 IN LAST FORTNIGHT
tBy Associated Press1

word from Rome on the repulse Of
the Austrian drive in Italy, coupled
with the announcement by General
March that American troop movements
to France had now exceeded 100000.
added to-day TO the growing cheerful
ness that has been apparent at the
War Department recently.
General March told the newspaper
men in his weekly conference tina:
with the 100000 mark passed. the
United States is I'VE months in ad-
vance of its schedule for troop move
ments. At the same time he briefly
outlined the battle positions In France
and italy and drew the conclusion that
the enemy was being held firmly on Ii
fronts. though further great blows are
to be expected
The chief OF staf's statement ru:-
n!shed the first authoritative informa-
tion as TO progress made in the tre-
mcndous exertion the government has
been making TO meet the challenge Of
the German drive in the west. When
The first blow was struck on the Cam
brai-st. Quentin line. March 81. troop
shipments were behind schedule. To-
day they are five months ahead.
The speed with which the army is
indicated by the fact that approxl-
mately 100000 men have been en-
barked during the last two weeks.
The total movement during May was
not more than 100000. 1t was only
two weeks ago that Secretary Baker
announced that more than 10000 had
been shipped; a week later at the first
OF his conferences with the newspaper
Ia
mark had been passed and to-day he
placed the figure at more than so0.-
600.
General March made it clear that
time gained in getting abroad enough
American troops to give General Foch.
supreme commander. a mastering su-
perioEjty over the enemy is the vital
factor, Every dayf'lost by the Ger
mans In pressing their effort to achieve
military. victory before American ali
can arrife SinH Overwhelming force K,
regarded as a day nearer ultimate de-
feat for them.
THE general situation looks we'll"
was General March's comment as he
looked al tho great war maps where all
the operations are marked out.
THE lack OF fighting along the wes-
tern front simply means that Ger
many is renting her combat divisions
and preparing for another drive. 1t
does not mean that the great battle
is over.
We can look forward to a repeti-
t!on OF what we have been passing
through these past few months. as far
as German act:,ity is concerned"
General March refused to comment
on the proposal to send an interna-
tional expedition into Siberia. APP
parently ne still takes the view that
this is as yet political question, not
a military matter He was exceedingly
reticent also as to American participa-
tlon on the Italian front. although
making 1t clear that the public would
be fully informed on all operations Of
American troops as rapidly as possible
AMERICAN TROOPS
PERFORM WELL IN BATTLE
wherever the test OF battle has come
less Of the character of the troops.
whether regulars. National Guard, Ma
tional Army or marines.
The fight at Cantigny. the most i'm
portant engagement in which American
troops have participated because OF
the opportunity it gave 10 judge O;
the full measure Of their training. he
said. had been fought by the First
Division. commanded by Major General
Robert 7. Bullard. This division is now,
nc said. a thoroughly trained. high
grade unit, and was the first American
division to reach France.
At Cantigny. General March said. in
fantry and artillery operated in close
CO opera ton to achieve the victory,
showing the successful work Of the
staff officers upon whom that co-opera-
tion depended. The fight clearly
showed, he said, that the training of
the American general staff officers had
reached the point where the system
would work under battle Strain.
One Of the most striking things on
the western front. the chief of staff
declared, was the supreme Importance
of unified command. This was first
advocated, he added. by President Will
son and carried through under the
Presidents constant pressure until
unity OF command was realized in the
appointment OF General Foch. Genera
March regarded that as ono OF the
greatest single military achieveme ats
Of the allies which was already show
ing it's effect in the fighting.
During the last week, General Marc
said, the fighting in France has been
of a minor character. Interest for the
allies has centered on the Italian front,
where the Austrian drive at two points
on the Piave line penetrated deeply
enough to cause concern. That ofYen-
sive has now been checked, he added.
and tho swollen waters of the Piave
aided In repellinR the attack The on
tire Austrian bridge system on the
lower Piave has washed away.
Austrian engineers had constructed
seven bridges over which their advance
forces could be withdrawn IL they were
compelled to give up their footing OF
tho south bank OF the river at one
point. however, in the Montello sector.
the Austrians had been unable to re-