New-York tribune., 1918-08-15
General March Declare:
New Armies Will Form
as Quickly as Possible
Enemy Now SO Miles
Away From Paris
Chief of Staff Tells of
Guards Heroism; Against
Name "Sammies"
(speci4l Dispatch to The Trbunc)

WASHINGTON, Aug. l4.-Ihe en-
.my's line has been thrown back to
MORE than fifty miles from Paris at it's
nearest point by the Allied offensives
during July and thus far this month,
and at some portions is as far back as
the old 1916-1917 line, just west of the
famous Hndenburg line, General
March. Chief of Staff, declared to-day
IN reviewing the military situation.
The formation of the first field army
hv General Pershing, with numerical
strength of more than 1,250,000 men,
and the contemplated organization of
groups of armies when more millions
are sent over there" were discussed by
General March. Likewise the forma-
,;on of new divisions in this country
vas announced.
"The conduct of the American troops
continues to win highest praise from
CIR British and French allies" he SAID.
oIn that connection. if there is one
thing that the American soldier dis
likes in France it is to be called a
Sammy Nobody seems to know how
that term started, but on seeing the
strong, virile men from over here, the
British rejected 1t at once, and they
call the American troops 'Yanks.'
1.-THE statement in some papers that
it was originated by the French is abb
soutely not so, because all the French
people want to have it explained why
It is these big, strong men are called
Sammies.' Nobody in France wants
TO be called by that name, and nobody
here ought to call them 'Sammies.'
Referring to the formation of the 1st
Field Army by General Pershing, the
Chief of Staff said
"The organization Of the American
expedtionary force has progressed
gradually. When the number of div-
sions gave the strength necessary for
The formation of corps, which is six
divisions in the American system of
organization, we started organizing
corps. When the men at General
Pershing's disposal got over million
and quarter which is the approxi-
mate size OF a field army, he then gath
cred together his corps into the First
Field Army and took command himself.
As the number of men increases so that
We viii have more field armies, more
millions over there, we will then
organize into still higher units, i. e.,
groups Of armies. Then General
Pershing will be commander in chief of
the groups Of armies and he will com
mand them through the head Of each
! group
High Praise for Guard
The War Department assumes that
General Pershng has taken with him
MS entire general headquarters staff,
and that the chief of staff of the first
army is Major General McAndrew. who
is now chief OF staff of the expedition
AIRY force.
Inc recent fighting and casualties Of
me 18th Pennsylvania division was
'eerred to by General March, as fol-
lows:
THE 18th Division on Jaly 1s, during
me enemy's offensive, held sector of
'ne line south OF the Marne and south
vest OF Dormans. On July % and 81
advanced across the Ourcq, having
'ae 42d Rainbow Division on its left
ano the Sd Division of regulars on the
',sa'' and passed over the plateau to
'ae north between Sergy and Ron
'hefes. On August 6 it was again re-
por'ed as relieving the 32d Division on
me Vesle near Fismes. 1t was still
.Aefe on August 10. The confidential
'eports indicate it had 400 casualties
~ 'ne twenty-four hours of July 80,
Snicn is the only specific statement
''ou' casualties in that division"
"sViewlng the progress all along the
me since last Saturdays interview
General March said:
concerning the British French at
''A' winch was in operation on Satur-
s' tne rapid retreat of the enemy
'" mad begun August 8, on the
''a'n between the Ancre and Avre was
FHded to include the remaining
Nuerh portion Of the Montdidier
.'' which ground was no longer
'Asoie, because the railroad commuri-
'hs at that point were threatened.
Inc AYre and the Disc the French
'Sed fnrward on a front Of twenty
"''1cs' gaming on last Saturday
. depth Of six or eight miles.
Go Back to Old Line
p on the plains north Of the Avre the
'''h and French encountered resist
L.ls near the lals-'17 line, which was
' the Germans before they with
~" 70 the so-callcd Hindenbury de.
IN. 1"'~ line. There the enemy prob
,'and ready for them the same old
%'hes Wv they had before.
l.. ~'u"ter attacks by the enemy bavo
Ia. ,epaised at Chipilly, where the
~. infantry Of the 33d United States
liz, " vas engaged. In that conncc-
,..,. "e nave report showing that thia
lso captured three officers and
c.... " ana seven l05-calibre puma.
,..f aNf attack by the enemy wan alpo
We. at Lihons, which is a fiat ,,dv.
~ '' chaulnes.
french Make Gains