The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-06-22
U.S.. FIVE MONTHS
AHEAD PROGRAM
For Placing an Army in France,
Announces Gen.
March.
100000 OVER IN WEEK
Figures on Troop Shipments
Significant--War Stu
alton Favorable.
100000 OVER IN WEEK
(Associated Press.l

washington, June 22-Nine hum
dred thousand men have been
shipped across the seas, Gen.
March told newspaper correspon-
dents at the weekly conference to-
day. These include the troops
shipped from all ports Of embark
alton.
The United States 10 today five
months ahead Of it's program for
placing an army in France, Gen.
March said.
The figures on American troop
shipments are significant, since
Gen. March, It his first conferences
last week fixed the number shipped
at more than 100000, the addition
Of 100000 during the week showing
the rate OF progress that is being
made.
While the general battle situs-
ton looks good today, GER. March
said, the present lull on the western
front means pnly that the German
divisions are being reformed for
another drive. Viewina the whole
front, the chief Of staff said that
the central powers were again held
on all fronts.
Work Under Battle Strain.
At Cantgny. Gen. March said. in
fantry and artillery operated in close
cooperation to achieve the victory,
showing the successful work of the
staff officers upon whom that CO. -oper-
alton depended. The fight clearly
showed, he said, that the training OF
the American general staff officers had
reached the point where the system
would work under battle strain.
One of the most striking things on
the western front, the chief of staff
declared, was the supreme Importance
OF a unified command. This was first
advocated, he added. by President Will
son and carried through under the
presidents constant pressure until
unity of command was realized In the
appointment OF Gen. Foch. Gen. March
regarded that as one Of the greatest
single military achievements of the al :
lies. which was already showing its
effect in the fighting.
Enough to Cause Concern.
During the last week, Gen. March
SAID the fighting in France has been
OF minor character. Interest for
the allies has conferred ON theh Itai-
at two points on the Pave line pene.
trated deeply enuogh to cause con-
Germ. That offensive has now been
checked, he added, and the swollen
waters of the Piave aided in repell-
ing the attack. The entire Austrian
bridge system on the lower Piave was
washed away.
Austrian engineers had constructed
seven bridges over which their ad-
vance forces could be withdrawn IL
they were compelled to give up their
footing on the south bank Of the
river. At the point. however, in the
Montello sector, the Austrians had
been unable to replace the bridges
up to last night and thehir advance
forces are in grave danger OF capture
or annihilation.
Little Said OF Aid in Italy.
Gen. March deprecated discussion
of the participation OF American CONS
bat forces on the Italian front for tho
present.
Some American ambulance sections
are in Italy, but he chief of staff
thought it unwise to disclose any
other movements in prospect for that
front at this time.
The fighting about Chateau Thierry
where American marines distin-
guished themselves was confined orig-
nally to a small force of machine
gun units, Gen. March said under
command OF a major whose name had
not been reported. The 10000 ma
rines, comprising the marine brigade
from which the units were taken is
commanded. he said. by Brig. Gen.
James G. Harboard. who went to
France as Gen. Pershing's chief Of
staff.