The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-06-23
Chief of Staff Tells How Many Men Pershing Has
 Under Command
CITES CAPTURE OF
 | CANTIGNY AS FINE EXAMPLE OF TROOPS
General Situation Is Good, But It Is Known That the Enemy Is Ready for
 Another Drive
ny Associated Pres.

Washington, June 22.-Def mite word from Rome of the repulse of the Austrian drive in Italy, coupled with the an. nouncement of General March, chief of staff, that American troop movements to France had now exceeded 900, ,00O, added today to the growing cheerfulness that has been ap- parent at the war department recently.
 General March told the newspaper linen in his weekly conference thai with the 100000 mark passed, the United States is five months in ad- vance of it's schedule for troop move |ments. At the same time, he briefly outlined the battle positions in France and Italy and drew the conclusion that the enemy was being held firmly on all fronts, though further great blows arc to be expected.
 The chief of staff's statements fur nished the first authoritative informa- ton as to progress made in the tr e. mendous exertion the government has been making to meet the challenge of the German drive in the west. When the first blow was struck on the Cam brai-St. Quentin line March 21, troop shipments were behind schedule. To- day they are five months ahead.
 100000 PER WEEK
 The speed with which the army ia being moved to the front is sharply in- dicated by the fact that approximately 100000 men have Ceen embarked dur ing the last two weeks The total movement during May was not more than 240.000. 1t was only two weeks ago that Secretary Baker announced that more than 100000 had been shipped a week later, at the first of his conferences with the newspaper men. General March said the S0o.o00 mark had been passed and today hs placed the figure at more than 9o0.0a0.
 MILLION IN JULY
 On this showing the million mark should be passed by July 1. Various factors enter into the problem of trdr.s- portation, however, which forbid def mite prediction.
 1cHtiai hdttfi iudQS lL ciedT tU8u time gained in getting abroad enough American troops to give General Foch, supreme commander, a mastering Sii- periority over the enemy, is the vital factor. Every day lost by the Ger. mans in pressing their effort to achieve military victory before American aid can arrive in overwhelming force. is regarded as day nearer ultimate de. feat for them
 The general situation looks we'll was General Marchs comment. as hs looked al the great war maps where all the operations are marked out. "Ths lack of fighting along the French front Is of primary importance to the allies by giving us a chance to get more man power.
 f'The present Hull on the western front simply means that Germany is refit. ting her combat divisions and prepar- ing for another drive, It does not mean that the great battle is over.
 "We can look forward to a repett tion of what we have, been passing through these past few months. as fat as German activity is concerned.,'
 SILENT ON SIBERIA
 General, March refused to comment on the. proposal to send an interna. tional expedition into Siberia. Appar- ently lie still takes the view that this Is as yet q polit!c question. not military matter. He was exceedingly reticent alsot as to American partici- patton on the Italian front although making 1t clear that the public would be fu,ly informed on all operations oi American troops as rapidly as possiple