The sun., 1918-04-01
RAINB0WS PART.
OF FORCE GOING
TO F0CH'S LINES
Official Washington Halls
Pershing's Move With
Great Enthusiasm.
UNDER FRENCH ORDERS
First Operation of American
Troops Since the Newly
Unified Command.
UNDER FRENCH ORDERS
Spsciol Deanafch 10 THE srS.


WASHINGTON. March 31.-The an
nouncement from Gen. Pershins's head
quarters that the American troops have
begun to move toward the battle raging
on the plain. OF Picardy was hailed
with enthusiasm throughout official
Washington to-day. President Wilson
received the news early in the afternoon.
II having been transmitted to the White
House by the Associated Press. Major
Gen. March also was informed
As indicated in THE SuN this morn
ing. the American troops will reach the
battle zone at the most critical time in
the conflict and they will have an op-
portunity. Il Is explained. to meet the
enemy In more or less open warfare.
The War Department. bars all detailed
authoritative comment as to tho strength
OF ,Ae American forces to be thrown into
the battle. II can be stated. however,
that this force will be more than 1000
men. Whether tho American troops
which have been engaged holding Ave
small sectors of the line will be relieved
of this duty TO participate in the Picardy
hghting Is not known here.
The prevalent oninion in army circles
- that largo part Of the troops 20 en-.
gAEod have hoens Foiieved ~ French
troops and that those Americans who
have had their baptism Of German fire
under varying conditions. Will be among
those picked by Gen. Foch. the Gen.
eralissi,no Of the allied armies for the
work OF assisting French troops In the
prospective counter attacks on a major
scale against the Germane.
New Workers 70 Enter Fray.
II is indicated that this so-called army
OF first line fighting Americans will he
made up OF the most seasoned troops in
Gen. Pershing's command. That the
regulars will he included is regarded
here as foregcne conclusion and II is
expected that the Rainbow Division.
which Included former New York Ma
tional Guardsmen, may also participate
! In the brunt OF the fighting.
The less seasoned troops. It Ia ex-
planned. probably will guard transporta-
ton lines or elsewhere behind the firing
Mne to relieve more experienced French
| and British troops for action.
Estimates Of the time it will take for
| the American troops to reach the scene
based on authentic information. but il
10 believed that the movement will be
| carried out rapidly. Gen. FoclL it Is
pointed out, moves swiftly in all his
| plans and distances and transportation
| difficulties appear to dwindle when he
| sets his machinery in motion.
| Military men here noted to-day the
encouraging reports from the battle
front. especially those indicating that
the French and British were fighting
! side by side with striking spirit and
elan near Moreuii. This town was cap
tured by tho picked shock troops Of tht
Crown Prince on Friday II represented
the maximum advance Of the Germans
in this direction and was referred te
In the German oficial communique al
an achievement.
| Crown Prince II Pashea Back.
| But simultaneously with the an
normcement that Gen. Foch had beeI
made supreme commander Of the allied
! and American forces came the newt
that sharp counter attacks had beguI
against this point. The German ofiicia
communioue In referring TO Saturday.
hEhting reports that these counter at
tacks were repulsed.
Tho latest ofYicial announcement say
that after the most desperate and san
culinary fighting for the possession O
Moreuil the shock troops OF tho Crow
Prince have been thrown out at th'
point Of tho bayonet ana that tn
French are In possession.
According to reports the town change
hands several times in succession. bu
at the end the troops Of the German
Crown Prince were driven out and Ger
Foch's order had been executed with tn
spirit which has characterised the wor
Of men under his command.