The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-12-16
YANKS FINEST
FIGHTING men
Third Army Of Occupation
Marching in Full Campaign
Order, Huns Impressed.
SPECTACLE STIRRlN G
Forces of Freedom Hold Bull
warks Once Believed Offered
Barrier to All Foes.

Iondon Times-Phii. Ledger Cop. Cablel
Coblenz, Dec. 15.--The American
troops started to cross the Rhine
Friday morning. Dawn was Jus'
breaking when, behind a light cav
airy screen, the First division or tne
Third army moved slowly across tne
bridge of boats that separates COD
lenz from Ehrenbreitzen. A tort on
the right bank COMMANDING tne
n,ovement was occupied. Then over
three bridges the forces OF freedom
nenetrated beyond the bulwarks
which Germany fondly believed OIL
fered an impossible barrier TO aii
foes. IA
n. when peace is concluded ana
full reparation Is made for all DAM
age done during the fifty-two months
OF war, provision Is made that no
troops shall ever again occupy 'he
territory to the left of the Rhine and
the three bridgeheads, with a ten
kilometer strip on the right bank'
and that no fortfications or military
works shall be left therein, ions
step will have been taken towaras
making war impossible. for II wouiG
deprive Germany OF Jumping -oit
ground for a new assault ON clVihza-
ton.
6IVIot0U SNt''NSe'
! The $4,000 American troops, the
entire First division of the Third
army, have reached Coblenz. Pre-
ceded by cavalry, the head OF the
/ American column reached Schioss
Yesterday at IL o'clock. The men
were in full campaign marching or
der with steel helmets. AS they
passed with bands playing and colors
| living they presented a magnlncent
appearance. AS accustomed as the
people of Coblenz have been FOR
more than a century the headquar-
| ters of the Eighth German army
corps, to seeing stirring military
spectacles, it is doubtful whetner
| they ever saw finer set OF hghting
mon. Except for the senior ofiicer.
there Esrs fsE Yen ever so, 3 ~! AZ s,'esS' snsS
FROM all sides the remark, T31ow
All day long battalion after bat
TALON came. The men rested IN thc
open spaces and public squares
where field kitchens were set up
| Many hundreds of German children
shared in the steaming hot stew
which was served out, and Tor the
first time in four years tasted gooo
| white bread.
4 AS many men as possible were
| uartered in barracks, the rest BEING
/ billeted in hotels and lodging houses
of the town. A few officers were
given accommodations in private
houses, but every possible precautior
was taken by the Americans to cause
as little inconvenience as possible u
the civilian population. Under the
orders of the American military au'
thorities, no soldiers are allowed t'
be served in public eating and drink
ing places after o'clock In the eve
: ming, but everything Is open as usua
} to civilians and officers as 10 tn'
usual closing hor of II.
) Strict regula ions are in force a.
: to registration of all male civillan
over the age of IL years. NO Ger
. mans are allowed to appear in publ
; in military uniform without writer
, permission of the American author
| ties. All American and allied Off
, GERS in the city are furnished wit
5 special white passes by the proves
8 marshal.
Germans Impressed.
The German population is evident
" impressed by the large number o
soldiers and by their business-lik
+ appearance. The working classe
are cordial and well disposed towaSd
the Americans. Their attitude Is
!, sharp contrast to the naughty an
supercilious demeanor of the Junke
I, class. AS might be expected. tn
small tradespeople are principal
concerned about the profits they wi
reap from the invasion The sam
2 is true of the hotel proprietors. Tn
t main preoccupatien of the popula
4 ton seems to be as to the duratio
V of the cupation-whether tn
Americans will stay here all the tim
or be replaced later by the Frenc
or by the British.
AS a matter of fact the America
army has with it one division c
D French soldiers. comprised in tn
Second dismounted cavalry. VIII
t fought so gallantly at ST. Mihiel, an
a the Forty eighth colonials, the Mo
: roccan regiment of Gen. Mangin
). army. The troops are crossing tn
: Rhine with the Americans and wi
assist in holding the bridgehea'
!, Their selection for this honor is
Y source Of special qualification to tn
s French officers and can only tend
make still closer the bonds OF friend
e ship and mutual respect which s
d closely unite the French and Ameri
e can armies,