The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-07
95 Per Cent of U. S. Troops Are
Under Gen. Pershing.
Only One Division Is in tn,
Present Battle.
FIELD ARMY SOON COMPLE1I
Situation More Satisfactory
Than in Months.
Enemy Retreat Forced by
Blows on FIanks.

Washington, Sept. 7.-Organization
of the first American field army in
France is progressing so rapidly that
General March told members of the
senate military committee today
nearly 95 per cent of the American
troops brigaded with the British and
French have been withdrawn and are
beiug assembled at a point he did not
designate.
This accounts for the small number
of Americans engaged in the present
forward movement of the allies.
Now so Miles From Paris.
Characterizing the German retro
grade movement as a general re-
treat on a hundred mile front from
Arras to near Rheims, General March
in his weekly statement today pointed
out that the German lines now are
sixty miles from the French capital at
their nearest point as compared with
forty miles as late as July Is.
Only One Division Fighting.
Because of the gradual withdrawal
of American troops that have been
brigaded with French and British
forces, the senators said they were
told only one tivisien-the Thirty
seconds now engaged In the present
battle.
AT no point along the front where
the present battle is raging are the
allies more than twelve miles from the
Hindenburg line, while upon the up
per part this line has been pierced by
the British troops. The committee
was told that there are now between
10000 and 10000 American troops
with the British forces.
The situation on the western front,
General March told the senate mill
tary committee today, is more satis-
factory this morning than it has been
in months. Good progress is being
made, he said, and the outlook is very
bright.
Retreat Forced by Flank Blows.
The enemy's retreat was forced pri-
marily. General March said, by two
operations. The first was that of the
British on the Arras-Peronne front
and the other was the advance of the
scissors plateau.
The Hindenburg line is now only ten
miles away from the advancing allies
at its farthest sector.
Road Open VoIga to Vladivostok.
Summarizing reports received here
on the Siberian situation the chief of
staff said that the Czecho-Slovaks
and the Cossacks-Japanese forces
had cleared the Transsiberian rail-
way from Vladivostok to the river
Volga. He added that the general
| situation was now more favorable.
30 Per Cent in U. S. Sectors.
Organization of three new divisions
has been ordered. the Ninety-fifth at
Camp Sherman. Ohio: Ninety-sixth at
Camp Wadsworth. S. c., and the Nine
ty-seventh at Camp Cody, N. NJ. Cen
eral March announced that more than
| ninety per cent of the entire Ameri-
can forces in France already have
been included in the American sec
! tors.
| American, troops in Italy still are in
reserve sectors and have not taken
part in any activities. Referring to
the location of American divisions in
France. General March said today that
| the Twenty-seventh. composed of
New York troops, had now taken its
place on the line in Flanders while
the Ninety-second, composed of negro
troops from all sections, had arrived
in the Vosges.
General March would not discuss
the report that plans were being
formulated for bringing to the United
States German prisoners of war. In
answer to a specific question he said
that the entire subject of prisoners of
war would be considered at the con-
vention about to meet in Berne,
Switzerland