The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-11-18
YANk TROOPS
NEAR GERMAN
TER RIT DRY
IN ADVANCE
Third American Army Enters
Belgian Territory Evacuat-
ed by Germans Advance
Toward Rhine Goes With
out Hitch.
GREETED BY VILLAGERS
tjy Associated Press)


WASHINGTON, Nov. 1s.-Report.
ing today on the march of the third
American army into Belgian territory
evacuated by the Germans, General
Pershing announced that by nightfaIl
yesterday the advance element had
reached the line Ecouvaiez-Sorbev
Mars la Dour, or near the German bor.
der. Major General Diekman. in com.
mand OF the third army, was in COM
mand OF the third division at the time
OF its defense on the Marne.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY
NORTHEAST OF vERDUN, Nov. Is.
Two 16-inch cannon which were
turned over to the Americans at Spin
court on Saturday. were used by the
Germans to she'll the Verdun region.
Forty-two guns of various caIibers
were turned over. The 16-inch guns
were taken apart by the Germans in
three sections, each section being
drawn by tractor
The entrance of the Americans into
Splncourt on Saturday was one OF the
most spectacular features of the Am.
erican advance. Although the details
OF the American plan had been ccmmu-
n1cated by wireless to the Germans.
the carrying out Of the schedule was
delayed The Americans were EXPECT
ed at Spincourt at 10 O'Clock, but did
not arrive until two in the afternoon
because of roads which were shattered
by shell fire.
Glad 1t Was Over.
Lieutenant Emmett Gruner, Of st.
foI
Lieutenant Robert Nicholson, of Sails
Dury, n. c., going as military expert
to see that the guns were all in good
condition. The lieutenants were ac-
companied by an infantry sergeant
and four privates. Lieutenant Gruner.
the sergeant and one private went
ahead In an automobile carrying
white nag. Lieutenant Nicholson and
the ether privates followed.
Upon reaching the outskirts of Spin
court, they were met by a lone Ger
man lieutenant who spoke English.
He conducted the Americans to the
village hotel where billets had been
provided. After saying that he was
glad to see them and expressing relief
that his responsibility was past. the
German said:
II am damn glad the war is over
AS the Americans entered Spin
court the rear guards of German di-
visions which had held the place were
just withdrawing, the Germans e.
joicing as they marched away. A few
artillerymen were pottering around
the big gums as if they dreaded leav-
ing their pets behind All the common
were camoufaged and some had
names. One eight-inch gun was
named Martha and had a prominent
place on the front line.
The German lieutenant escorted the
Americans to the hotel and endeav-
ored to make them comfortable.
Lieutenant Nicolson and the Ger
man began checking the guns and con-
tinued the work until dark Then the
German entertained the two lieuten-
ants at dinner The German contin-
ued wearing his side arms until after
the dinner, the American also wearing
theirs.
$500 Guns Waiting.
After the dinner, the German said
that he thought that he did not need
arms, but remarked that he had felt
nervous during the afternoon after
the German infantry had retreated. as
he was uncertain as to what the Amer
ican might do. All three took off
their side arms and spent the night at
the hotel. The German slept on the
first floor and the Americans directly
above. They had breakfast together
and finished checking the guns, otter
Lieut.. Grdner gave the German q re-
ceipt for them
Just before noon the German or
dered the MOTEL to serve chocolate and
began packing up his effects He told
the Americans that $500 machine
guns awaited them in Longuyon. Two
orderlies brought up his horse and
tucking the receipt into an inside
pocket, the enemy officer mounted,
saying good bye. Then he added:
81 hope my troubles are over for
while. ] hope to forget all about guns
and war and battle fields forever"
He rode away, his orderlies follow
ing him In a korsedrawn cart
APPROACHING RHINE.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARdY IN