Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1918-12-20
FIRST U. S. men
CROSS THE Rhine
Yanks IostIed at CobIenz and
Greeted With Sneers and
Laughter.
dig FORTRESS IS ENTERED
Americans Take over Ehrenbreitstein;
People Expect Easier Time Than
With the British
or French.

Coblenz, Dec. 16.-Sentries of the |
American and German armies face
each other across the Rhine. From
Andernach, below Coblenz, northward
to the British line, American forces
hold the west bank of the stream.
South Of CobIenz advanced elements Of
the American army have reached the
river.
The First and Third divisions have
baen designated to occupy the ad-
vnsced positions along the 30-kilome-
ter arc east of Coblenz. constituting
the brIdgehend stipulated In the arm-
istice, The Thlrty-second, Ninetieth.
Fourth, and Forty-second will occupy
positions In support Of the advanced
lines
The First. Third and Fourth diyi-
sions are Of the regular army.
The Thirty-second is made up of
National Guard regiments from Michi-
gan and Wisconsin; Texas and Okla
homa National army men make up the
Nlnetieth, while the Forty-second is
the Rainbow division. composed OF
National Guard regiments from Lou
isiana, Pennsylvania. Wisconsin, New
York, Georgia. Ohio, Alabama. Iowa,
Illinois. Indiana. Minnesota. Maryland,
South Carolina. California, Missouri,
virginia. North Carolina. Kansas,
Texas, Michigan, New Jersey. Tennes-
see. Oklahoma. District of Columbia.
Nebraska. Colorado and Oregon.
The Thirty-second. and perhaps the
Nlnetieth, win cross at Coblenz and
the others viii use the bridges north
and south of the city. Arrangements
have been made to use tugs II neces-
aary to expedite the crossing.
Across the river from Coblenz, in
the fortress Of Ehrenbreitstein. there
hns been a small force of Germans.
but II hns been withdrawn and an
American force entered the fortress
during the day, following request to
that effect from the German authori-
lies.
A bottle thrown from window by
h woman at an American soldier has
been the only overt net of hostility re-
ported since the Americans have en-
tered Coblenz. The Incident was re-
garded as being so trivial that 1t was
left TO the local police to deal with
the woman. There has developed.
however, within the last "a hours an
nnmistakable air OF independence on
the part of the people. rejecting their
conviction that the Americans are GO
fng to deal with them much more deli
'cately than have the French or Brit
tsh with the people north and south
OF the city. ttt
The position OF the Americans Is
slightly peculiar. Coblenz was infor-
maliy occupied by a battalion which
arrived on Sunday. aud which served
only as a guard. which probably would
have been inadequate In event of Sc
irious trouble. German officers are
here treating with the American au-
thorities and discharged soldiers, still
wearing their uniforms. are still nu-
.merous in the streets, which seems 10
offer to the civilians who have not yet
'feit the strength OF an invaders hand
treason to believe that the Americans
are not of-a resentful nature.
Instead of cringing. or even showing
deep regret, the population adopted an
attitude that found expression In jost-
ling American soldiers on the streets
and IN sneers and laughs. which were
only vaguely concealed.
IL Is estimated that there are suffi-
cient foodstuffs IN this district to last
fiii February, after which assistance
viii be imperative