The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-20
Consists of Six of Pershing's
Divisions i'm France.
Figures Were Given Out by
General March Today.
PRESENT ATTACK WILL GO ON
As Long as 1t Is Possible To
Force the Germans Back.
Huns Had Prepared Big Assault
Against the British.

Washington, July 20.-Six of Gen.
era1 Pershing's divisions or about
100000 American troops are fighting
with the F-ench in the present often
sive in the Aisne- Marine district, Gem
eral March, chief of staff today ad-
vised members of the senate military
committee at their weekly conference
The attack is still being pressed, he
said, against heavy German reserves.
The American troops engaged on this
front are the first, second, third and
fourth regular divisions and the 26th
(New England) and 2Sth (Pennsyl-
vania) national guard. The 42nd ma
tional guard (Rainbow) is stationed
in the Champagne region
Acting as Separate Divisions.
The six American divisions operat-
ing on the Aisne-Marne front, are
operating as divisions and not as a
corps, General March said. Their To-
cation fror4 day to day depends upon
the developments in the battle.
No Report ON Casualties Yet.
No report on casualties among the
Americans engaged has reached the
war department.
An attached regiment of negro
trooIs from the ninety-third .,ational
army division, is in each sector.
100000 Yanks Have Been Sent.
During his interview. General
March disclosed the fact that the en-
barkation of American troops has
passed the 100000 mark.
The Franco merican movement
will CO. tinue long it is possible
to force the Germans back. General
March stated. General March told
the senators also that the Germans
hdd been preparing for an offensive
against the British to the north on the
western battle front. to be simulta-
neous with their last offensive against
the Franco-Amel ican front.
For some reason. General March
stated, the drive against the British
was postponed. and that is the prob-
able explanation given for the British
poliC( of not attacking the Germans
while the Frnch and Americans are
engaged in their offensive
German Offensive Movement stopped.
Allied military opinion. General
March 81 id. is unanimous that the
German offensive movement mas zen
completely stopped.
General March said the objective Of
t F'ranco-American counter attack
was the Soissons- Chateau Thjerry
ralIroad, which the allied command
ne reason to believe is the principal
artery OF supply for the enemy in the
Chateau Thierry region and also one
OF the principal sources for the sector
south of the Marine
Control Vital Road
The French and American forces
-NtiNl at an ietuy on tnlS ROAD or have
II wen under direct shell fire of their
artillery The chief of staff pointed
out that with this railroad in allied
control. the German withdrawal from
the sector south of the Marine would
be rendered difficult and their main
railway line to the rear would be lost
he indicated that an attempt to with.
draw
The latest German drive was in
tended as "nutcracker operation"
against the city of Rheims. General
March said The drive had been def
nitely stopped when General Foch
struck on the right flank of the Ger
man effort after the enemy had ad-
vanced four to five miles on a twenty
three mile front.
One French Corps Takes 1900.
Official advices confirm the press
report that a French corps in which
american divisions were operating and
captured 1900 prisoners and guns
and material ''in very belnfuI
amounts"
IN response to questions General
March said the Illinois National guard
division. commanded by Major Gem
eral George Bell, jr.. was in the Eng
lish training sector. unit of this df-
vision yast week co-operated with the
Australians in a successful advance
already reported.
The seventy-seventh national army
division, composed largely of New
Jersey troops, but including New York
and Delaware men isN in line near
Luneville. It is operating as a d.
vision under its own commander.