Republican farmer., 1918-12-20
AMERICANS
 CROSS RHINE
 WEDNESDAY Our Troops Occupy Fortress of Ehrenbreitstein on Re
 quest of Germans. SOLDIERS PLACE
 MOST PECULIAR Population Sneers, Laughs and Jostles U. s. Men on Streets of Coblenz.

Coblenz, (By Courier to Nancy), Tuesday, Dec. 10-Sentries of the American and German armies face each other across the Rhine tonight. From Andernach, below Coblenz, northward to the British lines, Amer ican forces hold the west bank of the stream. South of CoblenZ advanced elements of the American forces hold the west bank of the stream. South of Coblenz advanced elements of the American army have reached the river.
 It is expected that the movement across the Rhine will be well under way tomorrow. The First and Third divisions have been designated to oc- cupy the advanced positions along the thirty kilometer are east Of Cob lenz, constituting the bridgehead l stipulated in the armistice. The tThirty- Ninetieth, Fourth and 1 Forty-second will occupy positions in support of the advanced lines. The l Forty-second is the Rainbow divis- 1 ion, which includes National Guard regiments from Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland and New Jersey. l The Thirty and perhaps the Ninetieth, vii cross at CoblenZ, and i the others will use the bridges north and south of the city. Arrangements also have been made to use tugs, if necessary to expedite the crossing. I Engineer regiments have inspected all bridges and roads beyond the riv- CT, while a commission of German army officers and civilians has given every facility for the Americans to lcolIect information as to the territory Iithat is to be occupied east of the 1 Rhine.
 Across the river from Coblenz, in
 the fortress of Ehrenbreitstein, there
 has been a small force of Germans
 but it has been withdrawn and all 1 American force entered the fortress i today, following a request to that effect from the German authorities The German commandant of the place informed the Americans thaI by tomorrow the entire German army 1 excepting small detachments o1 l guards, would be nine miles from l the Rhine.
 The position of the Americans <
 slightly peculiar. Coblenz was in
 formally occupied by battalion served only as a guard, which prob
 ably would have been inadequate 1T
 event of serious trouble. German
 officers are here, treating with tho
 American authorities, and discharged
 soldiers, still wearing their uniforms
 are numerous in the streets.
 i Instead of cringing, or even show
 ing deep respect the population
 adapted an attitude today that founC
 expression in jostEng American sol
 diers on the streets and in sneers ant
 laughs which were only vaguely con
 cealed.
 The burgomaster has published
 only the rules regulating local af
 fairs. The latest orders the closin! of cafes at Il in the evening. It i
 estimated at his office that there ar,
 sufficient foodstuffs in this distric to last till February, after which as
 sistance will be imperative.
 Sales of fire arms are prohibitet
 in Coblenz by order of the burgo
 master, who is cooperating with tn
 American forces. All civilians mus
 turn over their fire arms to the mu
 nicipal authorities. German mill tiamen and discharged soldiers, wh,
 have been assisting in police duties } are discharged by the burgomaster' } order preliminary to turning tn municipal affairs entirely over to tn Americans
 All theatres and restaurants mus close at Il o'clock. These place are forbidden to burn lights afte that hour, because of coal shortage Hotels also are affected, but in lesser degree. German grand oper has been presented at the larges theatre here within the past feT