The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1919-01-10
Second Army Expected to Take
Over Occupied Area.
THE 18th DIVISION IN IT
Bust Of Former Kaiser Disappears
From Park In cobIenz, Whose
People Had often Put
Wreaths Upon 1t.

Coblenz.-The German civilians OF
the area occupied by the American
Third Army heard for the first time
with the arrival of the new year the
road of American artillery in salute,
while in CobleRz, Treves and various
villages in the occupied district, the
crack of American pistols resounded in
celebration of the new years advent.
In different parts of the occupied
area, including the section east of the
Rhine, the American artillerymen
fired six-inch howitzers and other
guns as the hands of the clock came
together at the midnight hour. The
charges were blank, as were those
fired by the soldiers from their sery-
ice pistols in round after round in
the various towns as the new year
came in.
In Coblenz the officers of the Third
Army about 800 of them called
upon Major General Dickman at head
quarters to pay their respects to their
commander.
Major General Robert L.. Billiard,
commanding the Second Army, ar
rived in Coblenz There have been
several rumors that the Second Army
soon would take over the occupied
area, relieving the Third Army, and
that the divisions at present holding
the Rhine bridgehead here would be
placed in the rear area and be among
the first to start for home.
In MayeRce, west Of CobIenz, where
the American Third Army had its
headquarters before moving to Cob
lenz, a nfe-sized bronze bust of for
mev Emperor William, for years
stood In little park near the center
of the town. During the war when
German newspapers reported victories
the bust was decorated with wreaths
and the pedestal was swathed with
the German flag. Always during the
four years of the war the little park;
was carefully tended.
With the abdication Of the Emperor
the civilians of Mayence rather lost
interest in the village park and the
Emperor's husband then the Amer
leans came. But the Americans paid
little attention to the statue and the
bust looked down upon thousands OF
infantrymen as they passed through
Mayence on the way to the Rhine.
For three weeks, with the Americans
billeted in nearly every house in
Mayence the bust occupied its usual
place.
with the coming of New Years
morning the bust and pedestal had
disappeared. Down the road leading
to the creek was trail in the mud as
il something had been dragged along
at the end OF rope.
Among the Germans within the
American area OF occupation there is
a. feeling OF relief over the reports
that the majority Socialists are in
control in Berlin. The Germans in
the area have many interests beyond
the Rhine and give an impression Of
renewed confidence row that Premier
Ebert appears TO be in complete con
troll.
A rise OF three feet In the waters
OF the Rhine and Moselle rivers food
ed the lower streets OF Coblenz and
villages along both rivers. The cellars
OF two hotels In coblenz occupied by
officers OF the American Third Army
were flooded The high water in the
MoselIe Is causing considerable trou-
BILE.
The Fourth division at COchem, be-
tween Coblenz and Treves. has ar
ranged to start steamer service on
the Moselle and carry supplies from
Coblenz Many roads are flooded. hin.
derlns automobile truck service.
The rise In the river Was caused
by heavy rains. IN week the total
rise had been ~ faal.
Voluntary enlistments In the Ger.
man army are being called for In
the district OF the Eighteenth Ger
man Army Corps near Frankfort. IN
order that men of the older classes
may be mastered out and sent home.
according 70 the Frankfort Gazette.
b. order Of the War Minister the
commander of the district of the
Eighteenth Corps has established en-
iistment ofiees In ~ towns. lnclnd.
Ing 0iessen. Nidda. Stelnsu. Bobefs.
hansen. Densheim. EhFh tck. Orb
and Wellburg.