The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1918-07-03
ACTIVITY ON THE FRONT

"oo"SSohs cuy l.-NeSUHnpClOn
| of the German offensive on the West
front is expected momentarily by
army officials here. General Per-
shing's report, as we'll as French and
British advices, have shown increas-
ing enemy activity day by day, indi-
eating that the Germans are prepar-
ing for another assault.
Meanwhile American troops still
are being rushed over seas and there
is every reason to believe that by the
Fourth Of July more than a million
American troops will have sailed. An
official announcement to that effect
as a part of the Fourth of July cele-
bration is to be expected.
There is great stir and movement
among the Germans before the Anne
rican lines around Chateau-Thierry.
Part Of the drive may be directed
there in renewal of the thrust at
Paris. If so, an army corps of Ame-
rican troops stands shoulder to shoul-
der with the French again to block
the road.
Secretary Baker disclosed today
that organization of the first army
corps, under Maj. Gen. Hunter Lig-
gett, probably had been completed. al
though he made no announcement.
II suspect" the secretary said, in
reply to a question, "that several of
our divisions are operating together
as an army corps under command Of
General Liggett. Whether any other
divisions have been created into an
army corps and tentative aruv
corps commander chosen, | have not
heard"
Big Force in Hand.
1t was learned, also, that the First,
Second and Third Divisions (regular)
commanded respectively by Maj.
Gems. Robert l.. Bullard, Omar Bun
dy and Joseph T. Dickman are includ-
ed in the first corps and all are either
at Chateau-Thierry or at Cantignv.
The corps organization plan, how
ever, calls for six divisions, sour com
batant ard two replacement, and
with the necessary units and other
additional troops the total strength
of corps would be nearly 100000
men.
Undoubtedly General Lggett has
all the elements necessary for his
corps if his organization is complete.
With this army corps in the theater
where great events are believed to be
impending, the expected German thrust
assumes new significance here. The
opinion is general among officers that
the blow is to be the heaviest vet
struck. Unless they mistake the
signs the Germans are getting ready
for the crucial moment in their great
effort to wrench victory by force be-
fore full American fighting power
can be brought to bear against them.
The belief Of General March. chief
of staff, that the allied situation is
extremely favorable" as expressed
in carefully weighed statement last
Saturday, is believed to be shared by
Vic aiilcu lcducTS. Inc Speeu with
which American troops have been
rushed to France probably has played
q large part in the confidence both
here and in the allied countries that
the new German thrust will fail as
have the last two.
Great Speed Shown.
The fact that 100000 American
soldiers will probably have sailed !.y
July a and that five American divi-
sions have completed training with
the British and been restored to Gen
eral Pershing since last March is an
other sign of the speed with which
General Foch is being supplied with
fighting man power. The recent stab
bing thrusts of the French and Brit
ish in Flanders and southwest of
Compeigne are regarded as showing
the entire confidence of the allied
leaders in the outcome, although
weeks or months of bitter fighting
may be in store