The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-08-17
MARCH DEFINES
GERMAN ACTION
AS RETREAT ON
FRONT.
Chief Of Staff Says Rus
sian Front Is Not
Deemed Likely
TOO MANY MEN
ARE REQUIRED
Americans Abroad Now
Number Over 1,45O, 900,
He Announces
(Bv As.ocIated 1sress,l

Icy Associated TTSSS,)
Washington, Aug. 17.-GeneraI
March, in his weekly conference
with newspaper men today, an
nounced that the asth division,
made up of National army men
from North Dakota, Minnesota,
iowa and Illinois, is in process
of embarka&ion for France.
The division was trained at
Camp Dodge
Washington, March 17.-The battle
now going on in Picardy was formal
ly characterized as the German re-
treat by General March, chief Of
staff, in his conference with news
paper men at which he disclosed that
American troops embarked overseas
now number more than 1s450,000.
General March pointed out that the
Germans have voluntarily suFrend-
cred ground in local Saltents four
separate times since the Picardy at
tack was launched by General Foch.
1t was evident that these withdraw
ais, coupled with other information
contained in official adyices from
General Pershing, have created here
the impression that a general army
retirement on a wide front is to- be
expected. a
Taking up Americas war plans,
General March formally reiterated
the plan to get so divisions into
France by June 30, 1919. General
March told the senators that the
American army now under arms
numbers slightly more than 100000
men, with 1,450, 900 men in France or
on, the way and approximately
1 $50, 900 in cantonments at home.
Senators also were informed that
the Russian situation is critical be-
cause of the general complexfty OF
affairs there. They were given 10
understand that there was not much
chance Of establishing real offens-
i've, on the eastern front because or
the great number of men that would
be required.
The cmbarkation OF American
troops now announced includes. men
sent to Italy and Siberia as we'll as
to France. Hereafter total figures
for embarkations will include all eG-
peditionary forces, wherever sent.
: General March would not talk fig
ures on, army plans outside OF his
statement regarding so divisions. Tt
was evident, however, that he has
complete confidence in the ability Of
the war department to execute atsi
plans ahead of schedule. He ha
said previously that for purposes Of
calculation division represented q
total of 10000 men.
General March said a report
through the Spanish embassy gives
no evidence that Americans in Ger
many are singled out for mistreat-
ment as has been reported. Very
detailed reports, ineluding the daily
menus, show that the question or
treatment Of prisoners has largely
become standardized. Discussing the
situation, he drew attention to the
fact that the Germans have now vol
UNFAIRLY surrendered portions OF
their lines at different places. This
was taken as indication Of an extend
ed further withdrawal by the enemy.
In a general way the lines generally
are stabilized OH a front closely fol-
lowing 1916-17 positions in Picardy.
General March announced that
Major General Henry B. Mccain, ad-
5utant general, as a reward for effi-
cient work in that office, had been
assigned to command the 18th divi-
sion now being organized p amp
Devins, Mass.
Brigadier General Peter @. Harris
will be made acting adjutant general.
He has been reported for a great re-
duction in paper work in the depart
ment, including the abolishment OF
the old muster rolls, which tended to
cut away unnecessary red tape.
Announcement was made that
Major General George b. Duncan,
one Of the first American officers to
win the French war cross for dis
tinguished gallantry In action, was
being sent home for a rest. General
March said the case was typical and
showed the strain under which both
officers and men work at the front.
He indicated that a number OF cases
similar to that OF General Duncan
would follow.
G1neraI March said the losses OF
the 10th regiment (Pennsylvania
troops) of the 18th division probably
were proportionate to the heavy
fighting in which that division has
been engaged, He gave no figures
but pointed out that the 23th division
had held the American center during
the crossing of the 0urc and was
again in line along the VesIe, where
further sharp fighting had occurred.
On the VesIe front. where the
American troops are in lineS only
raids have been reported, General
March said He read a. French divi-
sional order, paying high tribute to
the vaIor and efficiency of the Sec
ond artillery brigade of the Second
American division, which aided the
Twelfth French infantry III two days
OF fierce fighting at Chateau Thierry,