The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-06-18
Get READY--FOCH
Troop Concentration Begins in
Rhine Area Today.
Yanks All Ready To Advance,
If Germany Refuses.
join IRON RING AROUND HUN
Poles and Czechs VIII Help
Bottle Up Enemy.
Pressure Too Great-FOe'n
Sign, Experts Say.
DIN IRON RING AROUND HUN

Coblenz, June 1.-THE concentra-
ton of troops preparatory to advanc-
ing farther into Germany, if the Ger
mans refuse to sign the terms of
peace. will begin on Wednesday thru
out all the occupied area. Orders to
this effect were received today from
Marshal Foch. commander in chief of
the allied armies, who sent similar or
ders to all the allied forces on Ger
man soil.
Lieut.. Gen. Hunter Liggett, COM
mander of American froces in the
Coblenz area, said today after an in
spection trip of the bridgehead out
posts and the headquarters of divi-
sions along the Rhine that the Ameri-
can forces were all ready to move
ahead at a moments notice. Leaves
TO soldiers permitting them to visit
recreation points within the American
zone have all been suspended until 1t
is known whether the Germans will
accept or reject the peace conditions.
If orders come to go ahead, the Amer
leans will advance in combat forma-
ton prepared for any emergency with
the artillery and supply trains follow
ing close upon the heels of the in
fentry.
Poles and Czcchs Join.
Paris, June 1s.-The Poles and
Czecho- Slovaks will join the allies in
throwing an, iron ring around Ger
many. in case she chooses war rather
than peace. according to authoritative
informa ton obtained today.
Marshal Fochs plans in the event
that the Germans refuse to sign the
treaty. provide for rapid contra ction
of this ring. with the consequent over
running of Germany from three sides.
The Poles would advance from the
east the Czecho-Slovaks from the
south. and nearly a million French.
British. BelEians and Americans from
the west while on the north the Brit
ish fleet would bottle up Germa ny S
ports and complete her economic
helplessness.
The greatest pressure would, of
course he eXerted by the allied armies
now stretched along the German from
tier froll Holland to Switzerland. OPP
posed to the combir ed forces of the
allies. the Poles and Czecho- Slovaks,
the Germans could muster no more
than half a million men, in the opin-
ion of French military authorities.
More than half of these are now con-
centrated against the Poles. Other
regiments are distributed turnout
Germany. at points where political dis
turbances are likely. A maneuverinS
army of scarcely 100000 men under
General Lutwitz is now concentrated
in central Germany. 1t is this force
which would have to bear the brunt
of meeting an allied advance from the
west.
without airplanes and with made
quate artillery and transportation IA
cilities, German resistance apparently
would be only nominal. Fochs pro-
gram, however, provides for invasion
on the basis of Germany's maximum
military effort.
Allied Objcctives.
While occupation of Berlin would
be one objective-should it be leces-
sary for the allies tofadvance that far
before the Germans capitulate-the
allied military authorities admit that
seizure of the capital would be i'm
portant only thru its moral effect. The
main objectives of the allies, it is
learned from reliable sources, are:
First. Occupation of those produC-
tive interests most vital to Germany
existence.
Second. Complete severance of the
country from west to east.
Third. Utter crushing of Germany
from all four sides, as described
above.
The principal work of the Polish
and Czecho-Slovak armies will be oc-
cupation of upper Silesa with its i'm
portant coal mines.
The opinion prevails among allied
military men that these combined
measures would leave Germany no
other course than to sign the treaty,
and that quickly.
HOLD UP FOOD SHIPS.