Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-07-02
AMERICAN ARMY CORPS
IN IMPORTANT SECTOR
Secretary Baker Indicates That Cen
cral Hunter Llggctt's Command
Is Ready for Action.
is FIRST TO BE ORGANIZED
United States Divisions in Region
Where Renewal OF German Offen-
sive Is Looked For on Greater
Scale Than Ever.
Try Associated press.l

WASHINGTON, July 1.-Rcsumption
OF the German offensive on the west
front Is now expected momentarily by
army officials here. General Pcrshing's
| reports as we'll as French and British
advices from the front. have shown in
creasing enemy activity day by day.
indicating that the Germans are pre-
pairing for another assault.
There Is great stir and movement
| among the Germans before the Amer
lean lines around Chateau-Thierry.
Fart OF the drive may be directed
against this front in a renewal of the
thrust at Paris through the Compiegnc
gateway. IL so, army corps OF
American troops stands shoulder to
shoulder with the French again to
block the road.
Secretary Baker disclosed to-day that
organization of the First Army Corps
under Major-General Hunter Liggett
probably had been completed, although
he made no announcement.
Il suspect" the secretary said. in
reply to a question. that several OF
our divisions are operating together
as an army corps under command Of
General Liggett Whether any other
divisions have been created into an
army corps and a tentative army corps
commander chosen. have not heard
1t was learned, though, that tho First
Second and Third Divisions (reguIar)
commanded respectively by AIajor-Gen-
erals Robert l.. Billiard, Omar Bundy
and Joseph T. Dickman, are included in
the Firft Corps. and all arc either at
Chateau Thierry or at Cantigny The
corps organization plan. however, calls
for six divisions. four combatant and
two replacement and with the neces-
sary artillery units and other addi-
tional troops. the total strength OF a
corps would be nearly 100000 men. I'm
aoubtedly. General Liggctt has all the
elements necessary for his corps IL his
organization is complete.
NEW blow WILL DE
HEAVIEST YET STRUCK
With this army corps in the theater
where great events are believed to be
impending. the expected German thrust
assumes new significance here The
opinion is general among officers that
The blow now In prepa ration is o be the
heaviest yet struck. Unless they mis-
take the signs, the Germans are get
ting ready for the crucial moment In
their great effort to wrench victory
by force before full American fighting
POWER can be brought to bear against
them.
There is every reason to believe tina;
by the Fourth Of July more than l,0oO,-
600 American troops will have sailed.
An official announcement to that effect
as part OF the Fourth OF July cole
bration is to be expected
The fact that Ave American divisions
have completed training with the Brit
ish and have been restored to General
Pershing since last March, is another
sign OF the speed with which General
Foch is being supplied with lighting
man power. The recent stabbing thrusts
OF the French and British at the enemy
lines in Flanders and southwest OF
Compiegne are regarded as showing
the entire confidence OF the allied lead
ers in the outcome. although weeks
or months OF bitter fighting may be in
store.
Secretary Baker had no advices to-
day to show that formation of the first
field army under General Liggett had
been entirely completed. General Lig-
gett is regarded as the logical organ
izer and commander for the First Army,
as he was General Pershings selec-
tion for commander OF the First Corps
The rank of lieutenant-general prob
ably Will go with the command.