Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-07-24
GEN ERAL, D|CKMAN
HOME FROM GERMANY
Distinguished Officer Reaches
"a Burlington after Commanding
First American Army Corps
and Later the Army of Occu-
pation-May Go to Texas


he most severe battles in the history
of tho United States army In France"
In the opinion Of Major-Generai Joseph
r. Dickman, who commanded the First
American Army Corps during those en-
vaKements. What tho other allies had
to contend with was not difficult ms
compared with the problems the Amer
leans were forced to fnce for strategic
reasons. 1t became necessary for the
Germans to use all available power
10 delay the advance of our victorious
forces, as our rapid advance meant the
cutting off of their lines of commune
cation and means of retreat from that
sector. To that end they were con-
SANITY using their best and freshest
divisions
Major General Dickman was one Of
the 10 distinguished American army
commanders who returned to this coun-
try July 20 on board the steamship
Aquitania. The general came from
Washington Monday 70 this city
which has been the residence of his
family during his duty In France He
was formerly In command OF the Sec
ond United States Cavalry, stationed at
Fort Ethan Allen, where by his kind
and courteous treatment to all he es-
tablished deep and lasting friendships
and made for himself an enviable repu-
tation, not only as a gentleman, but as
one Of the most efficient commanders
sver stationed at the Post.
II 10 the generals wish to express
to the people of this city his sincere
thanks for the courteous treatment Of
his family during his service abroad.
Major-General Dickman. at the time
of the armstice. was placed in COM
mand of the American Army of Occu-
nation, which included the First Sec
ond. Third and Fourth American Army
Corps and the famous 42nd Rainbow
Division" During the war he was In
command of the Third Army, Third
Division, at the second battle Of the
Marine, July Is; the Fourth Corps in
the st. Mihiel drive in September; and
the First Corps during the battles of
the Argonne Forest
According to a statement publish ed
by the Associated Press, General Dick
man has been assigned to the command
Of the department of the south. with
headquarters at San Antonio, Texas
General Dickman, however. says that
he has not yet received any definite
orders concerning his future command
He thinks, however, that this develop
ment is quite possible, and Is now
awaiting orders from the war depart.
ment at Washington.
Concerning the Mexican situation he
does not wish to make a statement. as
during his absence he has got out OF
touch with the situation. He says
however that 'the sentiment of the
English people is that some country
should take hand in the affairs OF
the Mexican state to protect the allied
interests there. President Wilson prom.
tv,to fnr NJ
Great Britain, that this would be done.
When asked by Free Press reporter
II there was any truth in the state
ments that deliberate attempts hat
been made by Germans living in tn
occupied territories upon the lives o
American troops. he said that no sucl
attempts had come to his notice. Thu
only case Of the kind that he knew o
was that Of a German who waited nea
the billet of an American soldier ant
stabbed him IN the back. causing hi
death. The general says that "the Ger
mans are we'll disciplined; are aocus
toned to soldiers being billeted upo,
them, as the German army manoeuvre
were held in those provinces and ar
apparently making the best Of diff
cult situation"
AT one time. during the early month
the Rhine provinces were much con
cerned about propaganda apparent.
Issued by the Dutch Demokratio party
favoring an Independent government
of these provinces. These plans wer
favored by the French for reasons un
known to me. The French government
made application to send agitators O
this policy to the district occupied b
the Americans" The Americans re
Spouse was brief and to the point. mo.
and no votes were cast and no election
eering allowed.
Speaking the the discipline of tn
United States forces, he said: THE
was no other army whose disciplin
compared with that Of the American
The British orders were much NOR
complicated. but in the end were nc
carried out. The American comman
issued certain orders and these wer
strictly adhered to. They also ha
the best organized corps. This wa
due to the fact that the British wer
constantly replacing their older me
by younger officers and other rank
and so their training could not be cal
ried on with the same degree Of eff
otenoy."
General Dickman is in the best {
health and expects a months leav
which he probably will pass at HI
homo here with his family
He wears many distinguished foreig
decorations. They include the Brit
ish "Knight Of the\ Bath" Frenc
"Croix de Guerre with Palm" and 'Lt
Gion Of Honor" Belgian "Order Of Lee
poid;" and italian Grand Oficer of til
Grown ~ Ttaly"