The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-08-03
.PERSH|NC' s ACTIVE
FORCE TOTALS ONE
MILLION FIGHTERS
RESULTS FROM TRANSFER
OF AMERICANS FROM
ENGLISH BRIGADES
GERMAN DEAD UNBUR|ED
Huns Are Driven Back So Fast
They Are Compelled to Abandon
Their Killed-Enemy Runs Away
From Enormous Mass of Guns.

Washington, Aug. 2.-Major Cen
eral Hunter Liggett, commanding
the first American army corps, is
in active charge of that corps on
the center OF the allied drive in the
Aisne- Marne salient, General March
chief of staff, today told newspaper
correspondents at the sem-weekly
conference at the war department.
The American divisions forming
this corps are serving contiguously
on this sector, the control of which
is in the hands of Major General
Liggett as commander of the first
major American unit to get into ac-
ton in France.
General Pershing as result of re-
cent transfers of American divi-
sions which had been brigaded with
the British now has 100000 men
under his direct command, the chief
of staff stated.
The number Of American divisions
actively engaged on this sector has
been increased to eight, now includ-
ing the first, second, third and
fourth regulars, and the 10Th, 18th,
32nd and And divisions which met
and defeated the Prussian guards
during the present week.
Total Embarkation
Total embarkation of American
troops during July broke all rec
ordS, it was announced officially
more than 100000 men having been
shipped.
The grand total embarked to the
end of July has passed the 100000
mark. The previous high monthly
record was for June, when 10000
were sent overseas.
Discussing the fighting, General
Marcia said that official dispatch
es covering the battles to August 2
showed the point front running
practically parallel to the Vesle and
Ardre valleys, the next defensive
line Of the enemy. AT that time the
forces were within six
miles of this line. Later dispatches,
however, have indicated that the
Vesle-Ardre line may have been
turned already.
The object OF the American and
allied armies still is the destruction
OF the enemy's army. General March
said. The maximum retreat of the
enemy up to August ,, measured 10
miles. the total length of the Aisne-
Marne salient having been reduced
from n to 4S miles.
French Walk Into Scissors
The French and British pound
ing at both flanks of the salient,
General March said, had resulted in
the collapse OF the German resist
ance on August |, and the French
had walked into Scissors.
The advance in the center has av-
eraged three miles on a front OF 80
miles. the chief of staff said, while
on the east flank, east of Rheims,
an advance OF four miles on a four
mile front already had been made.
The complete success of the allies
is indicated by a confidential mes
sage reaching the chief OF staff from
an officer who at the time OF writ
ing had just returned from Fere-en-
Tardenois. This officer reported
that it was seemingly impossible"
for any army TO gather the number
Of guns and shells that were aban-
1oned by the Germans in their re-
tirement.
The message added that the Ger
mans had been driven back without
time to bury their dead, and the
German bodies lay so thickly, it
was impossible TO advance without
walking over them.
The selection of Major General
Jesse McCarter. now serving as
chief OF the militia bureau and COM
mander of the United States guard
to have one OF the new divisions TO
be formed in this country, was an
nounced.
No News On Casualties
General March said the war de-
pariment still was without any in
formation as to the number OF
casualties in the fighting
since the present battle began.
General March announced also
the names of brigadier generals who
had been recalled from France for
duty in this country. They are Jas.
]. Holbrook, who goes to the south