Evening star., 1918-02-27
AMERICANS TO HOLD
|. FRONT IN LORRAINE
Town Names Now SKINNED
Over in News Soon to Be-
come Household Words.
WHOLE ARMY TO BE INTACT
ny THOMAS M. JOHNSON.

Copyright, 1918. All rights reservedD
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMIES IN
FRANCE, February 25.-The announce
ment that American troops are on the
Chemin des Dames-in fact, have just
participated with the French in sue
cessful raid-folIowing upon the earlier
announcement that Americans were oc-
cupying a sector in French Lorraine
northwest of Toul, may have caused
some confusion in the United States.
Perhaps this separation of forces has
given rise to the impression in some
quarters that our troops have been alb
sorbed by the French army and are
fighting as a part of it, As matter
of fact the Americans on the Chemin
des DANES are there for training pur-
poses. while the troops northwest OF
Toul are the entering wedge OF a den-
mite American sector of the allied west
aru front.
To Take Over More Trenches.
The whole of the energies of the
American forces are now centered on
extending this sector as rapidly as pos
sible The allied high command has
agreed that the Yankees, shall take
over more trenches there by degrees
and as they are able. OF course, what
speed can be made depends upon the
progress in the training here. 1t de-
pends also, in large measure, on the
arrival from the United States of men
properly trained to enter the front line
with a minimum of delay and with sup
plies sufficient to maintain. them when
they get there.
Front Will Be Extended.
In consideration of these unknown
factors, also by reason of military dis
cretion, it obviously is impossible to
indicate when an extension of the
American front may be expected. How
ever. it has been determined that as
come strictly an American front. held
only by Yankees, though they will
work in closest harmony with France.
Great Britain, Italy and other allies
in the international council.
While maintaining their own iden-
tity, the American troops now holding
the opening wedge" already have a
complete American organization, which
will grow in size as the length of the
line increases.
To Be Independent.
To sum up. the American force in
the line. from company up through di-
of armies, will be intact ard independ-
ent. though cooperating absolutely
with the allies. Therefore, loyal Amer
leans had better start studying the
whole Lorraine front assiduously, for
it's probably going to become the
American front. Soon the names of its
towns, mountains. hills and valleys are
going to become household words in
the United States, as Ypres is in Eng
land or Verdun in France.
Gain by Experience of French.
At present the entering wedge
troops, though they have their own or
are part of the greater unit
which in turn is part of the allied
armies But with American troops oc-
cupying from. line trenches for what
is called top training" the situation
is different. The Americans are scat
tered among French units who are
best fitted to instruct them in all the
wrinkles of actual trench warfare Just
as they instructed them in the initial
work at the training area. Thus they
get the benefit of French experience
and knowledge, while the risk of plac-
ing inexperienced troops in the front
line is diminished to a minimum
Just how long this state of things
will continue Is problematical, but for
the near future at least the differen-
tiation should be clearly borne in mind.