Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-10-21
MARCH PRAISES
u. s. TROOPS IN
WEEKLY TALK

Washington, Oct. 1.-the import,
ant part played by American troops
in the victories on the western front
was emphasized by War Department
officials today in the weekly confer
ence with members OF the Senate
military committee. The work OF
American aviators was especially
praised.
The news that the Germans had
evacuated the entire Belgian coast
up to the Dutch boundary and that
the territory had been occupied by
the allied forces WITS received during
the conference.
The German retreat from Belgium
continued today at rate that in
dicated early arrival of the allied
forces before the first of the enemy's
series of defence lines.
One unofficial report placed the
Anglo American advance patrols in
the western edge of the forest of
Normal, between Valenciennes and
Avesnes. If this is correct. the first
subsidiary line Of the enemy has al
ready been broken.
General March referred to this sit
uation today in his weekly confer
ence, saying:
From LIE Cateau northward the
British have reached, but have not
vet attempted to cross the German
defence line, which there follows the
east bank of the Selle River, up to
the SenSee marsh
The situation along the front was
in such a state of fluX, shifting ev-
cry ahour with the German with
drawal gaining in speed. that Cen
eral March made no effort to outline
the strategic possibilities He did.
however, call attention to the fact
that the withdrawal had expanded
to cover practically the whole
Mouse, where General Pershing's
forces are carrying forward the al
lied right wing.
If the German commanders are
successful in bringing their great re-
treat to a halt on the expected defen-
sive line, officers here believe that
the enemy cannot long remain in that
position The Anglo American thrust
already appears to have fractured the
keystone of the Client -TournaiVal-
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. 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 it is in
full swing The whole enemy line
from the Disc north is in a fluid
state. Observers believe it will be a
difficult matter to solidify it again if
allied pressure can keep pace with
the retreat.
The very depth of the enemy with
drawal, it is possible, 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 arteries. and it takes time to re-
pair and build railways to handle the
vast supplies that must go forward
every hour.
To some officers. therefore. it seems
likely that a pause will soon occur in
Belgium and on the northern half Of
the great battlefront. They are
watching intently, however, for a new
thrust by the American and Franco
American forces east and west Of
the Mouse, who perhaps are holding
the key to the whole enemy front,
whatever plans for gradual with
drawal to the German frontier have
been made. :.
1t is pointed out that while many in
termedate lines have been indicated as
possible defense positions in the north
ern battle areas, all reports are agreed
upon the Mezieres- Sedan Montmedv-
Metz front as the only defense position
in the field before the French and Arier-
leans on both sides Of the Mouse Major
General Lggetts American first army
is already within u miles Of that line.
There is good reason to expect a con-
centration of efforts to bridge this gap
and come to grips with the enemy in
his position of last resort, officers think.
The Franco-American operations are
taking shape for new thrust along the
Mouse, and in that connection particular
importance was attached today to the
crossing Of the Aisne and the character
of the heights east and north of vouz-
ieres by the French.
On this front the French now stand
almost at right angles to the American
lines east Of Grand Pre-. Wooded. lillv
ground faces both armies. but a pocket-
ing enterprise apparently is being de.
veioped around this forest region that
IS blocking the movement along the
Meuse. Berlin reports show fierce fight
ing IN the depth of this pocket, the re-
puise OF the French and Americans be-
ing claimed
The French are approaching the Ar
DENIES Canal line north of the forest
narrier. 1t may be possible, it was saia
To-Day that swift pincer movement
to that which cleared the Ar.
eohne pocket before, will be launched
TO open the road to the German main