The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-11-20
CLOSE TO GERMAN
LINE, YANKS GET
READY

NLRDI
Maj Zen. DiCkman's Army of
Occupation Gathers Itself
for Another Jump Into
Evacuated Territory.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY OF
OCCUPATION, NoY. 20. (By the Asso-
cIated Press. )-Wefl into Belgium and
within a few hours march Of the Ger
man frontier, on the South, Maj. Gen.
Joseph T. Dickman's army gathered
itself yesterday for another jump into
evacuated territory,
The line was unchanged. In accord
ance with plans, the march a been
halted for a short time, while the
heavier artillery, supply service and
other elements can be brought up.
However, Gen. Dickman's headquarters
were moved on to Longtyon last night
and corps and division commanders
made similar advances.
AS the Germans withdraw the con-
Centration Of the army OF occupation
is increased. and not for a moment
has vigilance been relaxed. All posi-
BILE tactical advantage is carefully
AdhtIl anu AHt lOANNp a " 'SlNcJ VI I
that the peaceful march might easily,
the presence Of the enemy. be n
verified into a hostile operation
The second day Of the advance served
to confirm the belief at the American
headquarters, however, that there was
no thought Of treachery in the minds
of the German general staff and that
the terms Of the armistice win be
faithfully carried out.
Only Few Cases.
There have been a few isolated cases
where surrendered materials have been
damaged, but it rs not thought such
damage was wrought under orders of
commanders. The surrender
of damaged airplanes at the airdrome
in Tellancourt Is regarded as a case
where individual aviators determined to
put their machines out OF commission
than have them fall into the
man would shoot a favorite horse 10
save him from a like fate.
Enormous stores of ammunition and
many guns left at Longuyon were little
impaired and the machine shops had
not been damaged. Xhe electrical etTS v ma
and the tools were of the best.
The railway yards at Montmedy and
places along the line that served
the Germans as one of their main ar
teries of communication during their
last stand against the allied advance
ready for use, while great quantities of
stores not mentioned in the
terms of the armistice had been aban-
doned to the allies.
At Virton was found a great salvage
and helmets had been thrown
by the German troops, who had no
use for them.
A road near st. Leger was so thick
ly covered by big iron German helmets
at times they interfered with the
operation of automobiles.
The civilians in Virton and other
villages tell stories of German AFRO
gance and oppression, but tales. OF
atrocities are few, Apparently those
who were in power in that
part OF Belgium ruled sternly, but not
v%iciously, after the early part OF the
war.
st. Leger is one OF the places that
felt the terrible grip of the German
hand in the first year Of warfare. 1t
was there that 100 civilians were exc
Last" Huns Gone.
With the exception of a few laggard
units, the last Of Germany's. armies
dlsa ppeared yesterday behind their own
frontier. From the villages located in
the narrow strip of unoccupied terri
tory between the American and Ger
forces came reports during the
day that the stragglers had engaged
in looting.
Appeals were received from the in
habitants that the advancing Ameri-
cans hasten to their relief, I%nvesti-
cation proved, however, that the viii
most of the damage being done by
the little groups of Germans TO the
Germans own stores Of food and cloth
ing.
Other appeals we're found to have
more foundation. Those from the may
ors OF Halanzy and other neighboring
towns reported the presence Of wound
ed and sick In greater numbers than
the local physicians could attend, and ;
to these points medical officials and
supplies we're sent after notification to
the Germans Of the Americans plan. ]
towns they took with them not only !
the medical and nursing. but also the
hospital supplies, abandoning the sick
and wounded to the mercies Of the
t~ownspeople and the army Of occupa-
ton.
Such was found to be the case in
the hospital at Longwy. where was To-
Gated the Thirty-second division head
quarters. Six wounded Americans were
found there, three of them officers.
Two were aviators reported missing in
October. They were flying low when
attacked by six Fokkers and forced to
land within the enemy lines,
First division headquarters at Lam
dres Tuesday was awaiting orders to
move forward, The troops on ahead
were spending the day along the line
reached late Monday.
The Americans in Landres are on
ioying all the comforts of a modernly
equipped and newly finished German
bath house, It Is n building of two
stories with concrete walls, care hav-
ing been taken to make the structure
a permanent one, The building is steam
heated throughout.
Near the bath house an immense
bakery of brick construction also had
been completed recently. Landres was
used as German headquarters for the
troops opposite the Americans,
Bake for Yanks.
Soon after the Americans entered
Landres Monday the ovens in the Ger
mar bakery were turning out bread
for tho newcomers,
The first American to enter Iandres
was Lieut.. Harold Ephlin, Of Detroit. |
The first person to see him was an
aged woman, who ran to his automo-
bile and tried to climb the running
board. When the lieutenant alighted
she greeted him effusively. The news
of his arrival spread rapidly and soon
afterward the mayor and some SO civil
ians waited upon Lieut.. Enhlin.
The woman who first greeted him
insisted that he be her breakfast guest,
When other Americans arrived they
found the lieutenant at table ENJOYING |
fresh eggs, toast and coffee with cream, |
The mayor OF the town proclaimed
a holiday and announced the schools
would not hold their sessions. The Ger
mans left Saturday.