The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-09-12

WASHINGTON. Sept. 1e.--Reports that
an American offensive Vas launched
carly today by Gen. Pershing Jainst
the Germans in the territory between
the Meuse and Moselle rivers rea led
this city today. officials had no In
formation regarding the magnitude OF
the operations, but 1t was understood
that they were Of a major character.
In some quarters 1t was assumed that
the big push" which 1t has been ru-
mored was in sight and in which the
Americans would make an effort to
turn the German flank. had been
started. In the absence Of any official
word, however, the war department
would not say anything.
At Gen. March's office 1t was stated
that 1t was unlikely Gen. Pershing
would make any remark on the prog
ress of any offensive movement that
might be undertaken until the initial
objects had been attained. One OF the
reports reaching here stated that the
Americans swept forward at daylight,
following an intense barrage and that
in the first forward movement num-
ber Of villages were captured ana
large number of prisoners were taken
For the last week here have been
Foch's strategy would be move
ment by the Americans.
For the last few weeks the Ameri
can units have been graduated from
the British and French camps and So
lidifled into one great fighting army.
1t has been admitted by officials that
Gen. Pershing actually had under his
immediate command, in an exclusively
American sector, more than 100000
American soldiers.
More Than Million Men.
Only a very small percentage of the
more than one million and half men
who have gone overseas were under
British or French control week ago.
The rest were ready to go forward as
soon as the word was giver /
Following the sweeping victories OF
the American British French forces on
the western part of the battle line. 1t
had been believed here that the next
move would be directed against the Ger
man left in Lorraine. This apparent !
Is now what has been undertaken,
although until an official report Is sent
through, officers did not care to com
ment on what might be expected. The
Germans have never been dislodged
from the salient which they have oc-
cupied at st. Mihiel and 1t Is hoped |
here that as part of the present |
drive the Americans may be able to
capture this point and drive the Ger
mans back across the river.
New Army Used.
In the present movement the newly |
>rganized field army undoubtedly is
)eing used. This will give the former
hree branches, the regular army, the
national or selective army. and the |
national guard, hopes to fight shoulder
70 shoulder since all were amalga-
mated into one army of the United |
States.
Army officers warned against ex-
,ecting any very great speed In any |
movement which may he |
commenced. 1t was pointed out that |
he terrain in the vicinity of st. Mihiel |
s not only very mountainous with val
eys that carry little rivers and |
brooks, but that the Germans have the |
great fortress base of Metz only a
short distance away from hich they
can draw supplies. The fact tn t the
initial blows are reported to have been
greatly pleases the officials
1t the war department who have been
anxiously for word that at
asst the first field army was in action. =