The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-12-04
AMERICAN THIRD ARMY
ENTERS GERMAN TOWN
Tfcves Occupied BY Dou&hboys, Who
Attract Alteration Of Inhabitants,
But Demonstration Ii Silent
OLD GLORY DISPLAYED.
Stars and Stripes Not Actually Planted
On German Soil. But Is Hung
From German Building.
By DAMON RUNYON.

With the American Army OF Occu-
patton Trier (Trevas), Germany (By
Courier to Nancy, France), Dec. L.
As these lines are written burst OF
baber shop chords comes floating up
through the narrow streets Of this
old town. which the Germans call
Trier and which the French call
Treves,
BY any name 1t would be pretty
ancient, pretty much sovew together.
Members OF General ole Dickman's
third American army are doing bit
OF close harmoninzing somewhere out
side. They are singing that familiar
lullaby which runs:
That's how miss YOU
Thus does history moves with giant
strides along the "Strazsen'' Of Trier.
Peer from a window and you can SEQ
in the Swallowed hooks up and down
the quiet street persons, Individually
specimens of the American dough-
boy. chatting somewhat lately with
persons as individually specimens OF
the German "Fraeulein."
Their conversation is interlarded
with: Wee, wee and yah" II they
continue on into any more different
countries the doughboys will have a
tough time getting their various
languages Strengthened out.
History Is certainly doing wei1 in
yet. The American
flag was not exactly planted on the
soil of Germany today, but 1t was
hung in front Of various German
buildings, picked out as headquarters
by various American generals. which
amounts to the same thing. Ameri-
can automobiles are parked all over
the town. surrounded by children.
while American sentries walk their
posts with hordes of little boys and
girls almost clinging to their coat
tails.
The German youngsters seem to re-
gard the coming of the soldiers today.
and the soldiers themselves. as some
thing gotten UP exclusively for their
benelt.
Trier Is being governed by memb ers
OF the soldiers and workmens' coun-
Gil. Former soldiers of the German
army in civilian attire. with guns on
their shoulders. are acting as police
men, but about their only duty today
was to keep the kids from breaking
the American automobiles by the
sheer weight Of numbers
Thousands Watch Troops.
Thousands Of people OF Trfer gath
cred along the roads leading into the
town this morning to watch the COM
ing OF the American troops. They
stood silent as the first columns went
by. The silence of any big crowd Is
an uncanny thing. The people talk
in undertones. but II there Us no vocal
outburst The quiet becomes oppres-
sive,
Il though I saw some bands down
the road" remarked an American
officer. who was watching the march.
Il wish they'd hurry up and give us
some music"
"why. IL you'l listen you'n hear
some pretty good music" replied an
other ofiicer. Don't Won hear it,.
I1sfenr~ ~
They stood In barking attitude in
the midst OF the big silent crowd as
the long lines Of American doughboy
trudged past. Now came the infantry.
bending under their packs. Now the
machine gun outfit, with lop-eared
mules dragging little gun carts, SOL
diers yanking at the brides. Now
the rolling Kitchens, with pots steam
ing and emitting fragrant doors. The
soldiers scarcely looked to tho right
or left as they passed the lines OF the
silent people.
doughboys didn't Charge their ex-
pressions. 1t was tremendous
change for them, after traverIing a
land OF cheers of "vive" which is
Luxembourg. and France. but they
had anticipated just some such thing.
No Hostile RemarkA
There were no hostile remarks from
the people: not even hostile chances.
as far as that goes. but assuredly
there was no warmth. They were
the people of beaten country gaz-
ing on the victors. They were most
| studiouely silent, So were the SOL
dfers Occasionally command came
from some officers or a sergeant, gave
the marching men staccate left.
left!' now and then a driver yelled
at his mules. But generally the men
went along noiseously.
II don't hear damn thing" said
the listening officer restlessiy. what
do you mean. music?' All I hear u
| that crunch. crunch OF their big
feet on that gravel road
other. triumphantly That old
crunch. crunch ought to sound
mighty swell to your ears. II does to
mine, because, man. they're march
ing on Germany territory
Presently came the band Of the
sixth infantry. with mighty blast OF
Instruments Right here the crowd
surged forward. proving that under
the skin It was like all crowds Right
here the children OF Trier proved that
they're like all the children the world
over They spurted out through
chtnks in the crowds by the hundreds
and started following the band down
the street. across the bridge into the
main part Of the town. somewhat dis
arranging the order OF the troops fol-
lowing close behind.
| This WAS the veteran first division
which entered Trier. 1t was headed
by General Preston Brown. q rather
imperious officer Of the new regime,
who set up headquarters at tho best
hotel. Going through the town the
band almost blew the narrow streets
apart with the volume Of it, sound.
People poked their heads out from
behind blins. which seemed drawn
with more than ordinary care, and
gazed down upon the steel-helmeted
columns going past
| They looked well today, our mem
wonderfully we'll. They couldn't help
commenting on It In this war-wraped
place. They arc vastly impressed by
the appearance OF the army which the
kaiser had told them could never get
/ there.
/ 1--WE couldn't get here. but we're
| nut u AA.f-AA