Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-10-20
Tennessee, Kentucky and Georgia Men Now Are
 "Over There"
AIRPLANE SITUATION
 IS MUCH IMPROVED
American Aviators Are Now
 Big Factors In Allied Victories.

| III lHe NlClOfleS rom the western front was emphasized by War De- partment officials today in the week.
 ly conference with members of the
 Senate Military Committee.
 l The work of American aviators
 was especial praised.
 General March did not attempt to analyze the military situation on the western front as whole or to point out objectives of the various attacks.
 He called attention to the fact that the German retirement, starting last week on sixty mile sector between | the Disc and the Argonne, had spread during the week until it affected all except 15 miles of the 25O mile front from the coast to the Mouse.
 The German retirement from the Belgian coast district, General March added, is increasing in breadth and speed The movement to the rear, on the whole, he added, is extremely rapid, as illustrated by the fact that the territory evacuated in four days totals more than 800 square miles.
 To the south in France, the general 1 said, renewed attacks by Anglo. American forces opposite Douai have carried the allied line up to the hast l lty constructed German defensive systems, which follows in a general way the Sensee canal and marshes. No attempt to cross this barrier has yet been reported.
 While this retirement was in pro- gross, he said, the American army northwest of Verdun was fighting it's way forward against stiff resistance. The 29th division, (New yersey, Dela- ware, Virginia, Maryland and District of Columbia troops) was identified as one of those operating east of the Mouse. The 85th, Michigan, and East ] Wisconsin, is now acting as depot division on the line of communication | while the 84th (Kentucky, Indiana and Southern Illinois, is reported as hav- 1 ing just arrived in France. The 38th division, (Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia) has not yet arrived over seas.
 Reports to the war departments senators were informed showed vast I improvement in the airplane situa- | tion, with production improving at a rate which they regarded as very fav- orable. The senators were told that the Germans are putting up stiff re- sistance on the American line north west of Metz, between the Argonne forets and the Mouse. On this front, which is about thirty miles in length, the American face 250,000 Germans who are making desperate efforts to prevent the Americans from obtain ing a sweeping victory.
 American officers who have re- turned from the front informed the senators that American aviators are i now big factors in the fighting. There is no question, they declared but that the allies are supreme in the air. Advices received by the department tend to discredit reports that the Ger man morale has been seriously inn paired by the American successes | American officers who saw the St.
 Mihiel drive said the enemy ware houses were found to contain good blankets and good shoes, and that the morale of Germans taken prisoners was good.
 If the German commanders are successful, in bringing their great re- treat to halt on the expected de- fensive line, officers here beleive that the enemy cannot long remain in that position.
 The Anglo-American thrust already appears to have fractured the key stone of the Ghent- t-Tournai- -Valencien- nes-Avesnes arch at Normal forest
 There is much speculation here, however, as to whether the enemy
 will be able to stop the tide of re-
 treat he has started, now that 1t Is Tn
 full swing.
 The whole enemy line from the
 Disc north is in a fluid state. Obser- vers believe it will be difficult mat ter to solidify it again if allied pres
 sure can keep pace with the retreat. The depth of the enemy withdrawal may serve to give him time for this
 readjustment. The communication lines of the French, British and Belgian armies
 are rolling out behind them in ever- extending avenues back to their bases. The armies cannot outrun those ar
 teries and it takes time to repair and
 build railways to handle the vast SUD- plies that must go forward every , hour.
 ,I To some officers, therefore, it . seems likely that a pause will soon occur in Belgium and on the northern half of the great battle front. They are watching intently, however, fol new thrust by the American and Franco--American force east and west of the Mouse who perhaps are hold ing the key to the whole enemy front } whatever plans for gradual withdraw ! al to the German frontier have beer made. It is pointed out that while man, intermediate lines have been indicat { ed as possible defense positions il { the northern battle areas, all reports .have agreed upon the Mezieres-Sedar } -Montmedy- Metz front as the only de fense position in the field before tn French and Americans on both sides of the Mouse. ! Major General Lggett's Americal first army is already within twelv' miles Of that line.