The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-11-18
ALLIED TROOPS
SWING steadily
TO RHINE RIVER
Americans Are in Two Divi-
siOns in Advance.
One Is in Belgium, Other Is IN
Germany.
FRENCH TAKE STEP AHEAD
Make Entry Into Recovered
Alsace-Lorraine.
There Is Great Rejoicing by
People There.
Make Entry Into Recovered
AIsace-LOrraine.

With the American Va w
cupation, Nov. 18.-One part OF the
American army of occupation moved
forward into Belgium today while the
remainder of the line swung steadily
forward toward the German frontier
Yenks Advance.
Washington, Nov. 18.-Reporting
<oday on the march of the Third
American army into Belgian ter
ritory. evacuated by the Germans,
General Pershing announced that ny
nightfau Sunday the advance ele-
nnents had reached the line Ecouviez-
Sorbey. Mars lie Tour, or near the
German border.
Slept in Fortress.
With the American Army in France.
Nov. 1S.--American Ambassador
Sharp. General Bliss and Admiral
Benson slept in the fortress OF Verdun
Sunday nigh. as the guests OF the
French commandant. They were on
their way to Metz when they learned
that Marshal Foch had postponed his
entrance for a day. The Americans
were quartered in room in one OF
the underground floors of the great
citadel.
French Into Lorraine.
With the French Army in Lorraine
Nov 1S-French troops made their
first entry into recovered Lorraine to-
day. and were acclaimed by the popu-
lations that assembled in the towns
and villages to meet them.
The honor of leading the advance
across the recently abolished frontier
fell to the Moroccan division, includ-
ing the famous Foreign Legion. The
soldiers of the legion wore their deco
rations, the highest accorded to any
unit in the French army during the
war. They also wore their new aiguil-
let's, or shoulder tags.
A Great Celebration.
Paris, Nov. IS (By Wireless to New
York. .)--Celebratio of the restoration
of Alsace-Eorraine, which began yes
terday, continued into the early hours
of this morning. 1t was one of the
most imposing demonstrations in the
history of the city.
A Thanksgiving service was held at
Notre Dame. 1t was attended by many
representatives of the nations which
have been fighting side by side with
French troops.
Third Army Ahead.
With the Americans Advancing To-
ward the Rhine, Nov. IS, (By Courier
to Verdun and Bar LIE Duc.)-The
Third army resumed it's advance into
German territory at dawn today. When
the march began the left wing of the
Americans rested on the Franco Bel
gian frontier, while the right wing was
nearer the German border in the Metz
region.
The American troops had camped
during the night, an average of nearly
ten miles within the former German
positions along the general line OF
Ecouviez, Sorbent, Gouraincourt and
Mars-La-Tour--a front of about fifty
miles.
In their first days march the Amer
leans reclaimed nearly 500 square
miles of French territory. Most of the
towns, which had been badly shot up.
we1e deserted by the Germans only a
few hours before the Americans reach
ed them. The Germans had not blown
up any of the bridges or roads.
The few inhabitants hailed the
Americans with delight. The advance
proceeded smoothly, raging three
miles an hour
Signal corps men were kept busy
bringing up new wires. The troops
were fully equipped. wore their tin
hats and carried gas masks.
The infantry was in the lead, follow
ed by machine guns, artillery, supply
trains and ambulances. Each divi.
sion was about thirty miles in length
All ordinary wartime precautions
were observed in last nights camps.
Today's advance is in the direction
ol LonSWy, Brley and Audun, all OF
which lie close to the frontier Labor
ers are repairing the German bull,
field railways. After crossing What
was the advanced zone the roads i'm.
proved and the going was fine.
Abandon Material.
In withdrawing. the Germans are
Abandoning quantities of material
guns and ammunition. in accordanc,
with the provisions of the armistice
AT Spincourt. a German officer re
mained 70 turn over forty-two guns
including two of eighteen-inch calibre
tThis is the largest calibre gun eve
mentioned in any dispatch) He re
ceived a receipt.
In the darkness just before dawr
Sunday. the First. Second. Third an(
Fourth divisions. composed of recu
lars and the Thirty-second (AIichiga,
and Wisconstn), and Forty-secont
tRainbow) divisions started from thei
positions in which they had encampef
on the edge of the American lines
Ihey were preceded by small van
guard.
Cross Line at $3.50.
East of Verdun. Mai. Y. l.. Eva,
OF lexington. Va, commanding a bat