New-York tribune., 1918-12-12
Continued from page

or 28th regiments of infantry, compos-
ing the division.
The semi-circular character, how
ever, of Americas bridgehead this
time gives the First full thirty
kilometres march from the Rhine to
the vicinity of Westerburg, and it will
thus be the last to reach its objective,
being beaten by the I'd and 32d divi-
sions on the left and the Sd on the
right, Which cross the river at the
same time.
Second to Be watch on Rhine"
The I'd and 32d will cross the bridges
at Engers and Linz, the I'd carrying
cut "die Wacht am Rhein" over about
thirty kilometres on the east bank
from the vicinity of Coblenz to the
vicinity of Linz. The 32d occupies the
triangular area northward, no elements
of this Michigan Wisconsin unit touch
ing the river.
The 1st Division, OCCUPYING the tri-
angular area in the centre, also fails
to touch the river, while the Sd Divi-
sion, on the right, occupies the wedge
shaped portion, coming to a dull point
slightly south of Coblenz, with two
sides formed by the Rhine and Lain
rivers, the latter tributary.
The Sd Division will cross at Goar-
hansen and Boppard on ferry steamers
capable Of carrying 1900 men at a
single trip. Once in position, the di-
visions previously mentioned will find
themselves backed on the west bank Of
the Rhine by three more divisions, the
42d (Rainbow) on the left, the Goth
in the centre, and the 9TH on the right
Ready for Hostilities
Thus Americas Third Army of more
than 100000 men will be ready at
moments notice to resume hostilities
if need be. From present indications
no battle call is likely. All reports
say the armistice conditions are being
carried out to the letter, and with the
enormous loss Of material thus engen-
dered, with the British holding a
bridgehead similar to ours, centring
at Cologne on our left, and with the
French similarly situated on our right
at Mayence, the German armies, even
were they in position to act, would
strike with drawn fangs.
Great numbers of auto trucks with
cannon, munitions and stores are going
forward under the guard Of the I'd
Battalion of the seth infantry Regi
ment of the 4th Division, commanded
by Major Fred w. Hackett. of Cham
plain, n. Y, whose men were the Iirst
Americans to reach the Rhine. Sun
i. day.
One squad of the battalion is COM
manded by Lieutenant Aryadia Gluck-
man, 1605 Forty fifth Street, Brooklyn,
while II Company is commanded by
Captain R. W. Norton, of East Bloom
field, n J.
Lieutenant Frank McGrath, of Bronx
vile, N. Y, battalion adjutant, is pre-
pairing to issue certificates to every
man, proving he belonged to the unit,
which will be historic in regular army
records as the first to reach the Rhine,
advancing under the impregnable. tow
ering heights of the Moselle Valley
from Treves, and entering Coblenz
under the powerful guns of the great
Coblenz fortresses, which command the
Rhine Valley for many miles.
The work of the American and Ger
man commissions representing the re-
spectlve armies, preparatory to cross
ing the Rhine, is running without a
hitch. American officers speak apprec-
atingly of the efforts of German officers
to carry out the slightest request Of
the American authorities. On one
occasion they worked all night to OBJ
tain information demanded by Colonel
James c.. Ray. of Texas, chief of the
American commission.
Extra ferry steamers, asked by Lieu
tenant Colonel J. NJ Wainrght, of San
Francisco, in charge of preparations
to crossing the Rhine, were obtained
long before they were needed
Germans Salute Americans
The greatest care is exercised bv the
Germans at all times to maintain
scrupulous politeness toward American
officers They salute them smartlv on
every occasion, bowling deeply when
entering their rooms.
Their attitude is different toward
French officers now in Coblenz. Stony
stares and refusal of military recog-
milton due to conquerors caused the
Fren~h officers to leave Coblenz ir
disgust.
That many Germans refuse to take
their loss of war as final was illus.
trated by q Prussian captain to- day
who remarked: "The French may dc
what they like now They may ever
hold the Rhine. But we will be back
in ten years"
The performance at the opera house
tonight was attended by large audi
ence, American officers mingling with
A recuperative diet in influenza.
La cd