New-York tribune., 1918-12-11
Bridges Are Being Prepared
for Great Advance by
Army on December l3
Troops Reach Coblenz
Occupation Battalion Well
Received by Officials Who
Requested Their Arrival


of engineers was prepared to throw q
temporary bridge across the stream
There were, however, already -four
bridges spanning the stream, two here
and one in the north and another to
the south, over which the American
army is expected to cross December
1s in thirty-mile arc.
Coblenz tonight is under the COM
plete military control of the Ameri-
cans. with the municipal authorities
cooperating.
At the Coblenz end of the three
bridges across the Rhine American
sentries were posted during the
evening.
Take German Quarters
In the afternoon the American forces
took charge of the barracks and other
buildings evacuated that morning by
the German troops.
The American forces comprised the
second battalion of the seth Infantry,
which arrived here this afternoon in
answer to a request from the German
authorities The reception of the
Americans was most friendly
The Americans marched direct from
the train which brought them from
Treves TO the various arsenals, bar
racks and storehouses, where they es-
tablished guards.
IT I
Of the Ameri AN commission, has been
dealing for four days with the local
authorities on questions incident to TIE
taking over of the bridgehead In
stead OF antagonism or even passive
acquiescence he encountered lively CO.
op ration.
The Mayor Of Coblenz issued a proc
lamation in which he requested the in
habitants to refrain from all acts of
discourtesy or violence and to accord
the Americans such assistance as was
possible. 1t Wa due to the Mayors re-
quest. supplemented by one from the
military commandant. that the Ameri-
cans are here to-day.
War Stores Given Up
A local committee was appointed to
assist the Americans in assuming con-
troll and officers of the German army
remained behind after the last of their
men had marched out, in order to de-
liver to the Americans great stores of
supplies.
The officers with Colonel Rhea are
Colonel Clarence Sheriff., of Green's
boro, n. c.; Colonel George Spaulding,
Of Michigan, and Colonel Henry NJ.
.Whte. of Kentucky
While the Americans were marching
into the city the last division of the
German army was only few kilome-
tres beyond the Rhine, moving in or
derly fashion, in the spirit of holi-
Day rather than that of a defeated
army. Almost every man had rosette
or sprlg of green in his cap Many
OF the trucks and wagons had on top
OF them quantities of Christmas greens.
United States Valor Admitted
Lieutenant Heinrich Prince, one of
the commissioners detailed by the Ger
mans to deal with the Americans was
the officer who transmitted to Major
Whlttlesey the German demand to sur
render when Whittlesey was command
ing the famous "lost battalion" in the
Argonne forest. In talking with Off
GERS OF the nth Division to-day Lieu
tenant Prince said his comrades and
superior officers held the highest ad-
mlratlon for the Americans in that
hght The OILY motive for demanding
tne surrender of the "lost battalion''
was to save the Americans from what
the Germans then believed would be
certain annihilation.
The comparatively light woke the
americans have laid on the Germans
appears to have Influenced them in
me ,nelr attitude toward the Americans
h h"nen 1he American troops went to the
barracks just evacuated by the Ger
mans they found they had been
seIruoDed to state of spotlessness, and
ulaI tne mattress coverings had been
washed and retllled with fresh hay
roFmal delivery of stores has not vet
peen made, but an officer day deliv-
ered map to Colonel Rhea showing
the location of great quantities Of am-
:Aanition' guns and general stores both
~ ~ 0oolenz and in the fortress across
.ae river. 1t is estimated that more
vnah I'VE hundred trucks will be given
up' Inc total value of the property to
De dellvered perhaps will run well into
millions Of dollars.
mere, as at Treves. the Americans
az; are dealing With the de facto authori-
tn s.es. Inc Workmen's Council is main
taag taalni.g commission, but the officers
,ile americans found were those who
A.
americans are leaving to them the
psopiem OF arranging their own affairs
.il tne new party's council. An indica-
,;li v,on mat the determination not to treat
,.n WIN the council will not cause any
tttLouple, tt for the American commission is
sne receipt of various messages signed
~ Matthias Erzberger dealing with sub
Sve.s winch the Americans have dis
NusSed with the Mayor.
People Not Disturbed
me Americans have not attempted
~ interfere in any way with local in
''i'utions, or the manner of life of the
people. The Inhabitants retire and
arise when they please, and permission
10 even given to those whose business
REQUIRES 1T to cross and recross the
Kline at Will.
"nen the Americans arrived and de-
s."'ned IN an outlying section of the
wy 'ney were met by large crowd.
"'iuding municipal officials. Among