Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-12-03
u. S. MAKES QUIET
ENTRY into GERMANY
UNDER GEN. DICkMAN

American Army of Occupation, Sun
day, Dec. 1.-(By the Associated Press).
mo demonstrations either friendly or
hostile marked the entry of Major Gem
eral Dickman's army into Germany to-
day The frontier was crossed early in
the day and by nightfal, the Americans
had moved forward IL miles, reaching
Radgen On the left and Saarholzbach on
the right. The line extended along the
Saar river and through Saafburg and
Treves. =,
In Luxembourg and parts of Belgium
and France the Americans were wei
coined as deliverers by almost all of the
population. The attitude of the popula-
ton of Rhenish Prussia was different
Not single Of act of open antagonism
was reported, but it was evident that
even the children had been schooled
carefully in the role they must play.
Officers and men were not surprised
by the lack of display of flags and the
absence of the cheering crowds to which
they had been accustomed, but they did
not expect the calm silence with which
the advanced patrols and the columns
Of marchers were received
On tie Luxembourg side of the MoselIe
river the streets of the villages were
hlled with those out to say goodbye to
the departing troops or by those who
paused to or from church. Across the
Moselle the streets of the villages were
almost deserted. Perhaps S. per cent.
OF the population remained within their
homes and in q majority of cases the
blinds were drawn. Here and there q
German stood in the doorway watching
| the troops pass and occasionally groups
gathered at street corners, but there
were no signs of either pleasure or dis
approval.
Larger crowds were encountered in
Treves, the largest place occupied.
later in the day, but even there most
Of the people kept moving, maintain
ing always studied air of indiffer-
ence. SO far as possible the men in
! khaki We're ignored. Once in a while
the youngsters under six years Of
age. were carried away by the ex-
citment and displayed enthusiasm
over the marching troops, but their
forgetfulness was corrected prompt
~ ny SOIIle OlueT person..
Brig. Gen. Preston Brown, the mill
itary governor for occupied territory.
has established his headquarters at
/ Treves, which also has been made
advanced general headquarters.
General Pershing will spend part
of his time at Treves. Civil affairs
will be directed by Maj Gen. Harry
Smith. The troops marched into the
headquarters town with bands play
ing but even the music and the
presence of dozens Of high ranking
American officers failed to jar the
populace from its attitude Of calm
silence.
A curious feature of the situation
was the presence along the line of
march of large numbers of dis
charged German soldiers. both Of
ficers and men. still in full uniform.
!. Along the roads and in Treves, these
gray clad men moved in and out of
the groups Of men in khaki, or stood
on the sidewalks watching the
marching columns
At several places in the CITY and
in the country districts Germans
armed with rifles. were seen acting
as civilian guards. They had been
placed there by the German authori-
ties to maintain order.
A number Of released allied SOL
diers appeared within the American
line as it advanced. Some Of them
had been set free by the retreating
Germans while others had been per-
mitted Ito escape
The allied commissions which have
been in communication with the Ger
mans have notified the local authori-
ties both IN Treves and in other
places that where the civilian nu-
thorities are not troublesome and
where they cooperate with the
forces Of occupation. they will be
permitted to remain at this post
and will not be disturbed except in
SO far RE- it is necessary for the car
rying out of military measures.