Republican farmer., 1918-09-13
95 Per Cent. of U. s. Forces Assembling at Undesig-
 mated Point. GEN. MARCH MAKES
 ANNOUNCEMENT Organization of American Field Army Progressing
 Rapidly.

Washington, Sept. 1-Organl- zation of the First American field army in Franco is pro- gressing so rapidly that Gen. March told members of the sen- ate military committee today that nearly 95 per cent of the American troops brigaded with the British and French have been withdrawn and are assem- bling at a point he did not des- ignate. This accounts for the small number of Americans en- gagged in the present forward movement of the Allies.
 Because of the gradual withdrawal of American troops which have been brigaded with French and British forces, the senators said they were told, only one division. the Thirty sec- ond, is now engaged in the present battle.
 The situation on the western front, Gen. March said, is more satisfactory this morning than it has been in ! months. Good progress is made and the outlook is very bright. At no point along the front where | the present battle is raging are the Allies more than 12 miles from the Hindenburg line, while on the upper part this line has been pierced by the l British.
 The committee was told that there now are between 90 900 and 100. 900 American troops with the British | forces.
 Charactterizing the German retro grade movement as "a general re- i treat on a hundred mile front from Arras to near Rheims, Gen. March today pointed out that the German lines now are 60 miles from the I French capital at their nearest point, as compared with 40 miles as late as July 15.
 1 The enemy's retreat was forced pri- marily, Gen. March said, by two op- | erations. The first was that of the | British on the Arras-Peronne front and the other was the advance of the Franco-American troops across the Soissons plateau.
 The Hindenburg line now is only | 10 miles away from the advancing Allies at it's farthest sector. Official reports to the department show that the Franco-Americans had reached the Aisne on a 10-mile front 1 last night while the French and American troops farther north were within 10 miles of St. Quentin.
 Gen. Pershing has sent to the de- | partment a report of minor casualties hitherto unreported of their trivial character. They total 10000 cases up to August 20, most of them being men who were so slightly wounded that they were returned to the ranks with in a few days.
 In connection with this announce ment Gen. March disclosed that the
 new policy of the department would
 be to have Gen. Pershing forward by
 courier twice a week list of wound.
 ed. The complete list will be made
 public from Washington and casualty reports cabled from American head.
 quarters will, when the sytem is in eff.
 feet include only dead and missing.
 Gen. March explained that complete
 data in each case will be included ir | the list of wounded so that relatives 1 may be advised fully as to the nature
 of the wounds.
 Summarizing reports received | here on the Siberian situation, the
 chief of staff said the Czecho-Slo
 cleared the trans-Siberian railroad | from V1adivostok to the river Volga
 He added that the general situation
 now was more favorable.
 Organization of three new divisions
 has been ordered, the 95th at Camr
 Sherman, Ohio; the 96th at Camp
 Wadsworth, s. C.; and the 97th al Camp Cody, N. M.
 Gen. March announced that more
 than 90 per cent. of hthe American
 forces in France already have been in- l cluded in the American sectors. American troops in Italy still are in reserve sectors and have not taker
 part in any activities. Referring tc
 the location of American divisions ir
 France, Gen. March said the 27tf
 composed of New York troops, now
 had taken it's place on the line ir 1 Flanders, while the 92nd, composed ot negro troops from all sections, had ar.
 rived in the Vosges.