New-York tribune., 1918-06-30
Pershing to Send
More Fighting Men
Chief of Staff Asserts
That Situation Is Ex-
tremely F Favorable
ss to Allies
BY c. w. Gilbert

by -. w. AllOcII
WASHINGTON, June 29.-Genera'
March at his weekly conference with
newspaper men to-day announced that
the situation on the entire West front
which, of course, includes the 1tal-
ian front, was "extremely favorable tc
the Allies" This is the most optimis'
tic statement he has made since he
began his talks with the press.
He did not explain just in what re-
spect it looked extremely favorable
But from an announcement which he
made it would seem that in man power
the Allies were better off than at any
time hitherto. This announcement was
that five divisions of American troops
which had been trained with the Brit
ish, had been returned to Genera,
Pershing.
77th Division Holds Sector
1t had always been the plan to con.
stitute a distinct American force out
Of the units that were scattered among
/ the Allies as ssoon as the great snef'
gency created by German superiorit,
in man power had passed. 1t woule
seem as IL that emergency was pass
ing, or was at least decreasing, from
the fact that Pershing is already re.
ceiving his men back.
: The honor Of furnishing the first Ma.
tional Army division to take over
sector of the Western front as unit
falls to New York City. The division
lis the one trained at Camp Upton, or
Long island, by Major General j
Franklin Bill and sent to France un:
der the command of Major General
Johnson.
Reports from France to which Gen,
eral March did not allude praise
the quality of this unit Of the new
army. Special interest attaches to the
success with this Upton division be-
cause it was composed of a great MKT.
ure of races from the melting pot OF
New York City. Evidently the Amerl'
canization is complete.
Another favorable factor in the gen
eral's mind was the Italian front. The
general emphasized the Importance OF
the italian victory, both in military
ana a mOIdl way ~ Aou DSS-s -
of great encouragement to the forces
opposed to Germany everywhere.
Criticises Austrian Strategy
The general criticised the Austrians
strategy. The Austrians had under
taken drive of too great breadth
Forces great enough to push through
an effort 200 miles long were not pos
sessed nv Italy's foe. He announced
the first Americans to reach the ltal-
ian front direct from this country had
arrived. They were largely non-com'
batant units, to support the military
forces to come later, of whom the first
were sent from France by Pershine
the other day.
The general settled the disputed is.
sue of the size of 1taly's capture OF
xustrians. According to the War De.
partment figures $4,000 Austrians were
taken. The Italians have now driver
the enemy back to the positions from
which he started, and near the sea
have forced him further north.
OF the American troops the genera
had only words of praise. He felt sure
that the War Department policy Of
making public the name of every Amer
ican soldier, no matter what rank, whs
! rendered distinguished service wa.
highly approved by the army.
Though American troops serving
among the British and French are nov
being returned to Pershing it seem:
probable from General March's word:
| that the policy of training American.
back of British and French lines woule
be continued with the new arrivals.
Allied Lines Strengthened
Only in this way, the general indi
Gated, could the American army b,
made ready for battle quickly. Thu
Chief of Staff also regarded with favor
the variety of training that was to b,
got through this system.
the situation is extremely favorable il
would appear that no part of the lins
is now so weakly held as was the posi-
ton between Rheims and Soissonl
when the latest German drive began
From foreign papers it would appear
that this section was thinly occupiee
by French territorials and certain di
visions of England worn out by fight
ing elsewhere, who were sent to thi,
front as q quiet one in which to res
and recuperate.
The success of the two German
drives which got furthest is easy to un
derstand when the facts about tn.
troops holding them are considered
The line near st. Quentin was recentl,
taken over by the English from tn.
French, against the protest of the Eng
lish commanders, and was not held il
sufficient strength. The line between
Rheims and SCISSORS was held by sec
ond rate French troops and exhausted
English troops.
When enough men are available il
France to hold strongly the critica
points, like those which defend th,
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