Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-09-04
Includes Those in France,
Italy, England and Siberia,
Gen. March Says.
GEN. GRAVES AND AIDS
REACH EASTERN FRONT
Chief of Staff Tells of Participation
of Americans in Scissors
Advance.

More than 100000 American SOL
diers had been embarked overseas Au-
gust 81, and they are still going.
This announcement was made this
morning by Gen. March, chief of staff.
The number included men for the
French and italian fronts, England
and Siberia. The greatest number of
troops landed in France in any month
was 2s5,ooO,\ and more than 25o,oOO
landed in August.
He also announced the arrival in
vladivostok of Maj. Gen. William $.
Graves and his staff, to take command
of all American forces on the new
eastern front. Gen. Graves brought
with him 43 officers and 1888 men.
Cambria an Objective.
Taking up the military situation,
Gen. March said the object of the
Canadian drive across the old Queant-
Droquort switch line was Cambral,
which was now within seven ana one
half miles of the British advance. ac.
cording to official advices. The chle1
of staff identified the American unit
which participated in the Flanders
advance as the 30th Division. COM
posed of troops from Tennessee, North
Carolina and South Carolina. The
French advance north of scissors, re-
sulting in the capture of Terny Serny,
was participated in by the 32d Dlvl-
sion, composed of Michigan and Wis
consin troops, under Maj. Gen. Ham.
British Advance Fourteen Miles.
In the action east of Arras Gen.
March said the British had crossed
the so-called Hindenburg line on an
eight mile front. He added that the
maximum advance of the British since
the drive started in Picardy and ex-
tended northWard was fourteen miles.
On the Flanders front Gen. March
said the enemy was retiring without
very severe pressure brought upon
him. and the Flanders salient had been
virtually blotted out already.
The chief of staff pointed out that
the main resistance to the allied ad-
Vance all along the line had been en-
countered by the British on the Scarpe
sector.
The rapid French advance south of
that sector. he added, was largely
due to British successes In over
coming this resistance. This was
shown clearly when the French ad
vanced between six and ten miles on
a twenty-five-mil front in one day
south of the Somme.
Enemy's Defense Stubborn.
The enemy had made efforts to
hold the French along the line of
the Canal du Nord, Gen. March said,
without complete success, and the
French have crossed the canal in sew
eral places.
In the sector north of scissors
French and American troops are
advancing steadily against stiffen-
ing resistance, the latest official ad
vices to the War Department show.
Turning to questions as to the 1oca-
tion of various American units, Gen.
March said the 39th Division, COM
posed of Arkansas, Mississippi and
Louisiana troops, was now in process
of landing in France, while the 36th
Division, composed of Texas and Okla
homa troops, has completed its de-
barkation. The 35th, of Missouri and
Kansas troops, which includes the
Missouri National Guard. is stationed
in the Eosges. The 27th Division,
composed of New York troops. is still
in training with the British in FIan-
ders, and Gen. March said the identi-
fication of the S0th Division as the
one engaged with the British near
Mount KENNEL indicated that the 9th
had not been involved in that fighting.
Reports Few Casualties.
The total number of casualties re-
turned 10 the United States from the
1921 Infantry regiment, Gen. March
said. was Seventy-four. twenty-seven
OF that number having been sent back
during August. The regiment is COM
posed largely of Connecticut troops
and reports have been in circulation
that its losses had necessitated vir-
tually the WITHDRAW wal of the regiment
and complete reorganization.
Gen. March did not know who had
been assigned by Gen. Pershing to
command the 30th Division. which
went over under Maj. Gen. George w.
Read. who has since been assigned to
command the 4th Army Corps.