The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-08-14
Paris Is Now so Miles FroM
Nearest Point on Line.
One q. s. Regiment Fighting in
the Present Drive.
OBJECTS TO WORD SAMMY"
March Says Soldiers Don't Like
to Be Called That.
No American Troops Have Yet
Landed in Siberia.

Washington, Aug. 1.-THE 1s1st
regiment of the 33d United States di-
vision was the American unit which
took part in the Franco-British-Am
lean offensive in Picardy, General
March announced today in his confer
ence with correspondents.
The 131st regiment is composed of
Illinois National Guardsmen and is
attached to the Sixty-sixth brigade of
infantry in the SD division, COM
manded by Maj. Gen. George Bell.
The troops were trained at Camp Lo-
gan, Tex.
This regiment, operating near Chi
pilly. captured three officers. $50 men
and seven los millimeter guns from
the Germans. The conduct of the
American troops. March said won the
highest praise from the allies.
Huns Fifty Miles From Paris.
He stated that the Picardy salient
has now been reduced on a front of
flfty-three miles to a depth of fifteen
miles. This makes the nearest point
in the German line fifty miles from
Paris.
The British and French offensive
has now driven the Germans back TO
the line they held in the winter of
1916 in the region of Santerre. March
said. The fact that the Germans
found there the entrenchments they
left in their advance probably ac-
counts for the stiff resistance the al
lies are getting on that front. he
added.
At some points the old line of 1915
has not yet been reached by the allies.
No Change on Vesle.
| March said that the line across the
Marne salient is practically as it was
n CT Co fr1r-f f4aU a A4I-
ican counter attack had recovered Fis-
mette. ---
August 10 was fixed by March as the
date of the final organization of the
first American field army. He added
that General McReynolds is chief of
staff of this army SO far as the de-
partment knows.
Objects to "Sammyv
General Pershing has been asked
for specific information on the ques-
ton of air craft in fighting. March
stated that Pershing's dispatches do
not indicate any shortage of aero
planes for the Americans in the Marne
sector at least. He made this state
ment in reply reports that the Ameri-
cans are at disadvantage because of
a lack of aircraft. March appealed
for the elimination of the word
Sammy with respect to American
troops, saying that if there is one
thing the United States soldiers did not
like it is to be called Sammy. He said
the British and French can't under
stand why such vigorous men should
be given such an appendage The
British have discarded it in favor of
'Yanks'' March said.
. Twenty Eighth in Heavy Fighting.
The Twenty-eighth division, General
March said, was il. position near Dor
mans on July I6, and participated in
the advance across the ourcq river on
July 26, when the attack against the
German lines attained its full momen-
tum and thrust the eI.emy back to the
Vesle. The Twenty-e ghth was flank
ed on one side by the Forty-secord
(Rainbow) and on the other by the
I Third regular divis on. Its position in
the line was between Sergy and
Roncheres
The work of the --aherican troops,
| both on the French and British front,
General March saie, continues to win
the highest praise from the allied COM
manders.
1,250.OOO i'm First Field Army.
General Pershing's announcement of
+ the formation of the first field army
shows it was organized on August 10.
and in this connection General March
disclosed that there were thirty-one
American divisions in France and the
field army included approximately
1850. 900 men. The organization of
additional corps and subsequently of
additional armies will proce ID without
delay. he added. and eventually Cen
eral Pershing will take command OF
all the armies. leaving command of
each to a general officer whom he
may select.
No Americans In Siberia.
! General March sid no American
| troops had landed in Siberia as yet. He
! did not have available figLres on the
total embarkation Tor France, which
he will make public on Saturday.