Evening star., 1918-08-21
Gen. March Tells Of Allies
Success on North Sea to
Rheims Front.
GET CLOSE TO GERMANY
AT ONE POINT IN V0SGES
Chief of Staff Announces That
United States Has Thirty-Two
Divisions in France.

As a result of the recent drives Of
the allies in France and Flanders. the
battle line from the North sea to
Rheims has been shortened by more
than ffty miles. When the forward
movement commenced the length of
the Nne was $50 miles: it is now less
than zoo miles long.
At one point in the Vosges the drive
of the allies this week advanced their
line to within four miles of the
frontier of Germany.
These statements were among the
interesting announcements made to
the newspaper men by Gen. March.
chief of staff. in his talk to them this
morning.
Tells of Troops in France.
The United States has now thirty
two divisions in France. The move
ment of this large number of troops
has been possible by the chartering OF
foreign shipping. taking over of in
termed German vessels and requisi-
tioning of Dutch ships. The success
of the larger program Of troop move
ment upon which the government Is
now proposing to embark will require
continued ability to eompand ship
ping facilities
A large part of the money furnished
by the citizens OF this country for the
conduct of the war has gone and will
be devoted to payment for these ships.
Only one vessel has been given to the
government-Brszil furnished a ship
for two trips without charge
Gen. March enumerated the thirty-two
American divisions arrived In France.
They are: First. I'd. Sd. 4th. 9Th, sth,
2Sth, 9Th. r28th, 18th. 30th. 32d. 33d, 35th,
3sth, eth, <1st. 13d. 18th. nth. 73th,
18th. Soth. slst, SD, SD. S5th. ssth, 90th.
91st. S2d and 93d.
Indicates Points on Map.
Gen, March indicated on the map the
points of the salient in Flanders which
have been sent in by attacks southeast
of Meteren. on the north flank. and near
Merville on the south side. The apex
was thus made unhealthy" for the
enemy anu hO was loICCO ~ WithuEd"
for from one to two miles on a four
teen-mile front. On the plains near the
Disc the allied advance has put the line
well backsof the old 1s16-1s17 line.
Lacking Official details of the British
drive reported in Associated Press dis
patches this morning. Gen. March de-
clined to comment upon this new allied
thrust. He said. describing the period
\. H. IA
that the allies had continued their at
tacks on limited FRONTS and at widely
separated points.
Many Recently Reached There.
In answer to questions the chief of
staff said that the 36th National
Guard and Soth National Army d.
visions. including many Texans.
reached Frame between July 80 and
August 13 and have been in train
ing. The s0th. he said, has not yet
reached the front line. Gen. March
corrected a report that the 77th Di-
vision (troops of New York and vi
cinity) was being sent to Italy. It
was last reported. he said. in the
vosges.
The 2sth National Guard Division
New England). which participated
in Numerous attacks near Chateau
Thierry and which aided in the cap
ture Of the towns Of Torcy and Bel
leau. was relieved from Its position
on the Marne front on July % and is
now back Of the lines for recupera.
tion.
Served With the British.
The S0th Division, composed of vir-
ginia and Pennsylvania troops, was
serving with the British army in
Flanders. Gen. March announced
last Saturday that the 80th was
training with the British army in
Flanders. The 18th Division (New
England and New York National
Army now Is serving as q depot d.
vision and is stationed In a back
area.
The department, the chief Of stan
said, stip IL without an Official report
concerning the alleged race riots at
Camp Merritt, N. J.. which are said to
have resulted in the deaths Of two
soldiers.