The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-08-21
BATTLE LINE is NOW
SHORTENED so MILES
Reduction of German Salients
Reduces the Front.
General March Announces That
80 Divisions Are Over.
GOT SHIPS EVERYWHERE
Nation Is Still Short on Neces-
sary Tonnage.
Brazil Gave a Ship Free for
Two Voyages.

DTdZll UdNe d snip ITtc iOA
Two Voyages.
Washington. Aug. 21.-As result
of the allied successes during the past
month the battle front in France from
Rheims to the North sea, has been
reduced in length more than fifty
miles, General March told the news
paper men today in his mid-week con-
ference.
Thirty-Two Divisions Over.
American divisions, around 100000
men. are now in France. Chief OF
Staff March announced that the divi-
sions there are as follows:
First second, third, fourth, fifth,
sixth, 26th. 9th, 2sth, 18th. soth.
42nd, 18th, nth, 18th, 18th, soth.
S1st, SIND, 83rd 85th, seth, Goth,
91st, 92nd, and 93rd.
World Secured for Ships.
March pointed out that to accom-
plish this remarkable task it had
been necessary to scour the world for
ships; while to maintain the present
progress and achieve the projected
100000 plan would require gather
ing still more shipping.
The emergency fleet corporation is
doing "splendidly'' to catch up, March
said, but hiring and charIering other
ships will be necessary to meet the
increased effort.
In commenting upon the shipping
situation, General March divulged for
the first time the fact that Brazil had
given ship to the United States with
out compensation of any sort for two
trips. He said that so far as he knew
this was the only case of the kind on
record.
Fifth Took FrapelIe
He identified as the Fifth division
the American unit which captured
Frapelle IN the st. Die region, smooth
| ing out a salient. leaving the Ameri-
cans there only four miles from the
German frontier.
In answer to questions he reported
thus on several divisions:
Seventy-Seventh last reported in the
Voges; Thirty-sixth reached France
between July 80 and August Is and
| is being trained; Ninetieth in training
somewhere in France; Eightieth went
into the front line with the British in
Flanders as part of its training and
at the close thereof all elements were
withdrawn; seventy-sixth, a depot di-
vision in the rear area; Twenty-siXth
| was in the Chateau Thierry fighting,
took part in the capture of Torcy and
Belleau and advanced to Bouresches
and was relieved on the Marine about
July %.
March said this organization has
done good work all along.)
Germans Had to Retreat.
Reviewing events of the last few
days. March pointed out that the al
/ lies have continued their attack ac
widely separated points. In Flanders
| the flanlls have been sent in by at
tacks southeast of Meteren and near
Merville. This rendered the new
apex untenable for the German and
| he fell back one to two miles on
fourteen mile front.
East of Arras, on the Scarpe, the
British advanced in sharp fighting
! taking Fampoux. On the plains near
Roye continued pressure by the
French and British carried them we'll
back of the old 1861 line.
Only Four Miles From Noyon.
Between the Disc and Aisne, the
French began attacks Sunday night
on a fifteen mile front. gaining about
| four miles and placing them only four
miles away from Noyon.
| In the Vosges the Americans took
Frapelle, Strengthening out a salient
| there.
March had no official word of to-
days British drive and hence de-
clined to comment thereon.
Discussing the ship situation, the
chief of staff showed that the success
i of present plans depends upon ships.
America had none when the accel-
| Grated troop movement program
| started. Hence 1t was necessary to
use the German interned vessels, to
requisition Dutch ships and to charter
and hire all that could be obtained
from other nations. That has taken
large portion of money, for these
vessels have proven expensive.
March said in order to carry on the
work as now contemplated, additional
| hiring and ohartering must be done
until such time as the American trans
port fleet reaches the peak
March said he knew nothing of the
race riots~at Camp Merritt.
New York Stock Market
| FURNISHED by 7. ]. Myers. sol N E. Bldg)