Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-06-15

100000 men ARE
0uERSEAS-cEN, MARCH
Washington, June 5.-There are more than
oOOOOO American soldiers overseas. General
March, chief OF staff tor the United States in lett

lIlc OnlteQ OtdteS, IN lett
ing this fact be known to-
day, also explained that
the German great objec-
tives undoubtedly still is the channel
port. Success in that direction, Gen.
eral March said, would be the best
means available to the German high
command to stop the American move
ment to the front. But all OF the Gar
man drives now, have been definite
~ stopped, he said.
This was the first OF weekly con-
ferences which General March had
planned with the newspaper repre-
|sentatives in order that the American
people can be given an intelligent
idea OF the troop movement and
progress of the world war.
Timely warning was given by Gen.
eral March that it was far too early
yet to forecast when man power SUI
premacy will favor the allies.
After explaining that the ship
limitations was a great one General
March amplifed his declaration that
100000 men were overseas saying.
Referring again to the number of
men who have shipped abroad, the
100000 include conlbatants, medical
service and all OF the number OF
units which go to make up an en-
tire army and is not confined only to
combatants.
THE numbers shipped from all
points of embarkation aud either in
France or on the high seas, en-
route to France, has passed the $780,
600 mark"
Need Naval commandants.
Washington, June 15-Tf Germany
changes her plans of naval operations
the United States faces probable de.
feat. unless the number of high COM
manding officers in the American
navy is Immediately increased, Rear
Admiral Palmer told Secretary
Daniels in a letter made public this
afternoon
Admiral Palmer's letter revealed
that the navy has now abroad two
,squadrons OF thirty-six destroyers
each. neither with a designated com,
mander; and is planning to send five
more squadrous within a year with.
out a commander for any of them
The United States within two
months will have two squadrons of
seyentytWO chasers each in European
waters he revealed Palmer showed
there were two divisions OF armored
cruisers without flag officers in com
'mand and that a new division Of su-
perdreadnaughts, for which there Is
no commander. will he added within
a year.
The War in Summary.
Artillery is now playing the pre-
dominant role on the western front.
II has taken the French less than
one week TO break down the latest
German offensive between Montdidier
and the Disc river and now the Ger
mans must content themselves with
vipent cannonading
Minor operations have been car
ried out in some Of the battle zones.
the British capturing prisoners on
the Flanders plains and the French
taking a few captves on the Marne
front
German gunners placed American
positions northwest Of Chateau
Thierry. under an intense gun fire
with gas shells on Friday afternoon,
but there was no infantry attack
il Is psobable that the Germans
realize that they have gone as far
dN lHtN tdu ~ bu Llc NuhlutTH Udl-
tie front and that they are now digging
in
Rob French Homes.
Paris June l5.--Germans are
Systematically looting the French
territory they have occupied north Of
the aMarne river.
Many Of the German prisoners cap.
tured by Americans we're found TO
be wearing stolen rings and other
iewelry,
One German prisoner was only ff.
/ teen years old, although he was large
for his age
General Falkenhayn is said 20 be
urgently demanding the release Of all
/ possible German troops from Russia
for service on the western front
The foregoing eahIegram gave the
first intimation that Falkenhayn has
been withdrawn from Turkey for
active lutv IN tho v,natnr, front