The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-09-14
us. TRANSPORTS
Being UNLOADED
IN LESS Than DAY
AT FRENCHPORTS
General March Tells Of In
creased Efficiency In
Handling Troops
REVIEWS NEWS OF
REGENT BATTLE
Discloses Location of Many
Of The American Divi-
sions In France
REVIEWS NEWS OF
REGENT BATTLE

Washington, Sept. 14.-Comment-
ing on the military situation on the
northern sectors in France, General
March, the chief OF staff, pointed
out that, as a result of recent ad-
vances by the British and French
these forces are now nowhere more
than five miles from the Hindenburg
line, Progress has, become slower,
however, he said, under the artillery
fire Of the enemy from his prepared
positions.
In Flanders Belgian troops have
taken over six miles Of front for
nerIy held by the British and car
ried out a local advance.
Speaking further of the" enlarged
American program and illustrating
what has already been accomplished,
General March read cabIegram re-
ceiyed from q debarkation port in
France. It showed that $4,000 men
had landed in one morning and that
l1,000 more would be put ashore the
sanls day. Fifteen. ships had en-
tered the port on the same morn
ming Of which twelve were to be
unloaded and ready to return within
twenty four hours.
General March said that ships
now were being unloaded and start
ed on their return trip in less than
one day as a usual thing.
- 4bt Stuff x ss.
General March paid high tribute to
the American forces which in less
than two days wiped out this SAL
lent. the narrowest and most anEus
lar on the, entire western front. The
operations there, he said, not only
were a tribute to the work Of the
staff but to the individual soldier.
It's hot stuff" he said warmly.
Elimination. of the st. Mihiel, sal
lent by the first big American often
siye and the consequent reduction
OF that sector by % miles, General
March said today, s OF extreme inn
portance in that it gives the allies
a much better base FOR future Of
fensive operations"
No report has yet come from Gem
eral Pershing Identifying any tndi-
Vidual unit which participated In the
advance. General March, however,
announced the composition Of the
staff, which under. General Pershing,
planned and executed the movement.
This staff is entirely different
from the general staff of the Ameri-
can expeditionary forces which re-
manned in its entirety at the expedi-
tionary headquarters.
Forgot the Prisoners.
General March pointed out in con-
nection with the German claim that
the ST., Mihiel. salient had been aban-
doned voluntarily that no mention
was made by the Germans Of the
big loss of prisoners.
Capture Of the salient was ac-
complished by quick sharp blows on
both flanks,. General March, explain
ed. The American troops advanced
across a difficult terrain consisting
of densely wooded hills intersected
by numerous ravines.
General March laid particular en-
phasis on the determination OF the
United States to continue to exert
its whoie strength against the Ger
mans. He referred to recent pub
lications, which he said, intimated
that America was not going through
with this war despite the enlarged
military program. This suggestion,
he declared was "preposterous in
its falsity" It seemed uncredible,.
the chief Of staff said. that such
propaganda could gain attention at
a time when the war department had
just secured increased age limits for
the draft and was about to ask an
the use OF the military estimate dur
ing the present year.
All reports from American forces
at the front indicated high spirits
and enthusiasm throughout the
whole army General March said
the American soldier quickly became
imbued with this spirit as soon as
he landed if he did not possess it
before.
The arrival abroad OF the Fortieth
division composed OF California,
Utah. New Mexico, Arizona and Col
orado troops which trained at Camp
Kearney. Calf, was announced. Part
Of the division now is in England.
5 No reports of the And (Rainbow)
divisions present activities have
been received since 1t was relieved
from the line on the Aisne-Vesle
front. The twenty-ninth divisions,
composed OF New Jersey, Virginia,
Maryland and District. OF Columbia
troops. now is on line in the Vos-
ges, it was announced.
The seventy seventh composed Of
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont,
Massachusetts Connecticut and
Rhode Island troops, was in the ad-
vance from the Vesle to the Aigne
and the twenty seventh composed
OF New York troops is still in Elan
ders.
General March read an order sign
ed by General Naulin commanding
the 21st French army corps 10 which
the 42nd American division, Grain
bowl was brigaded during the
second battie OF the Marine. The
French commander paid high tribute
to the Americans.