Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-08-14
.PERSH|NG CHIEF
OF j. s. ARMIES
Believed American Forces Are
Holding Line East of
St. Mihiel.
FIVE FULL CORPS IN FRANCE
Expect General Hunter Liggett
Will Be Chosen Com
mander Soon.
TBy Associated Press1

WASHINGTON. August I3.-Secretary
Baker was formally advised to-day by
General Pcrshing that the first Amer
lean field army had been created, Cen
eral Pcrshing retaining command of
the army az well az of the entire Amer
lean cxpcditionary force for the pres
ent. The dispatch added nothing TO
details Of the army organization al
ready made known from Paris, how
ever. Mr.. Baker said
The announcement is regarded as
having deep significance at the War
Department., mainly because IL place es
the American army in France on the
same footing as the French or British
forces there. Formation OF the army
is taken here to mean that the Amer
icanization Of a definite portion of the
front has been completed Supply
lines. railways. bases, storage facili-
ties. embarkation ports and the like.
created and operated by Americans.
stand behind the first army The only
statement OF the location Of this Amer
lean front given is that 1t is "south
Of the Marnc."
Presumably this means part at
least OF the long line from ST. Mihicl
to the Swiss border. where American
tioopS nave Dcen put in at intervals
during the last few months
The extent of that front has not been
disclosed. nor has the definite strenE tn
OF the army been given. The advices
indicate that II comprises, however, five
full corps. which means approximately
1880. 900 men,
The effect of the taking over OF the
line is to make a definite beginning
"a IN ir,er ha
British hold the left flank, aided by the
Belgians, from the North Sea to the
juncture OF the British Fourth Army
and tho French First Army in Picardy,
where an offensive is being conducted
at present. In that position the Brit
ish are not only holding their share OF
the line. but stand between the enemy
and the channel ports. which would be
his only road to England. while the
British neet exists.
Tho French armies presumably arc
being concentrated wholly between the
Picardy juncture with the British and
the American left. beyond Verdun.
They block the roads 10 Paris.
AMERICANS ON SWISS
BORDER IS DELIEF'
To the Americans has fallen the re-
'''@'''NNA ~ "hS iioht " inc S"lSS
border when the other American ar
mics shall have been formed. The
first army undoubtedly now holds the
bulk OF that line. with such French
help as is necessary. The whole line
probably is under General PershinE's S
direct command. even the French CORPS
or divisions that are necessary until
additional American troops arrive
Che American commander will here
after direct all operations on his front
He has as much freedom of action on
his own lines as has Sir Douglas Haig
Oh the British front or General Petain
on the French. for he stands on an
equality with. them. All three are
under Marshal Foch for the major
campaigns.
AS direct commander Of the army in
the field, General Pershing will be well
situated to weigh the qualities of the
men he has assigned temporarily as
corps commanders. From these five Of
fcers. he probably will select the com
mander OF the first army later, and
opinion hero leans toward Major-Gen-
eral Hunter Ligsett. now commanding
the First Corps on the Vesle front, as
his choice. 1t is expected also that
General Pershing will soon name his
permanent corps commanders, the ap-
pointment carrying with It the rank of
lieutenant-Eeneral.