Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-05-22
ARMY CHIEFS
CALLED;RUSH
ALONG Rhine
Preparations Begun for
Advance if Huns Re
fuse to Sign Treaty.

CobIsnz, Wednesday, May q.
(By the Associated Press)-
Lieutenant General Hun.cr Lig-
get, commander of the army Of
occupation, and Major General
john Hines, commander OF the
Third CORPS, who were on their
way to London, today were re-
called to COblenz by orders
from American general head
quarters.
Nine hundred motor trucks
began to move Tuesday mid
night from west of the Rhine
10 the bridgehead area. The
trucks are being distributed TO
various points OF advantage
among the troops holding the
zone east OF the Rhine should
the occasion arise for the
Americans 10 start an advance
Because of increased indications
of friction between German civil
ians and soldiers throughout the
American area of occupation, Amer
lean officers today warned the
burgomasters and other German
officials that they would be held re-
sponsible for any violence or any
attempts at destruction of American
army property.
Ready ii Huns Do Not SIGN.
The recall of Generals Liggett
and Hines, it was learned in Cob
lenz, is part of the new program
for the American army in the
event the Germans do not accept
the peace treaty.
The composite regiment of the
Third army. which was organized
for participation in the Empire
day festivities in London. Is being
held in Coblenz because Of the new
turn IN the peace situation. Tho
regiment may be sent t. London
and Brussels as intended if the
peace treaty is signed within the
next few weeks.
Trucks "Disturb Their Sleep.D
The movement of the motor
trucks continued throughout
and Wednesday night
and was the topic of conversation
among the German civilians in
CoblenZ. Many civilians complain
ed of the trucks as they rumbied
across the Rhine bridges during
the night disturbed their sleep.
Washington. May 22.-Resump-
ton of the war and a military oc-
of Germany are two of the
possibilities being considered by
" ashington officials as a result of
4 German cabinet statement made
public yesterday in which the Ebert
announces. it will not
sign the peace treaty.
In this connection Paris dis
patch Yesterday says that in addi-
tinn to the abandonment Of his pro-
jected trip TO England General Per
shing. several of the higher Ameri-
ran officers and certain members OF
lie American peace mission have
given up the idea Gf a return to
America in the near future.
Plan Economic Wise.
Previous announ cement has come
from Paris of the supreme cOuu-
vi > Iidl1S lOl III llAAAAtA1 y eAAIA1AA AAt
.he event of refusal of the Ger
uans to sign the treaty, and 1t is
assumed here that before resOrting
10 the use OF troops an effort would
,c made to bring the Germans to
.erms through economic pressure.
Officials here believe this would
-esult in the speedy collapse of the
present German government under
he attacks of the Socialist ele-
uents, which are understood to be
willing TO make peace upon any
erms.
A change In government. how
ever, would necessarily delay for
some months. at least. the sigma
.ure of the peace treaty and its
submission to the United States
senate.
May Force Renewal Of War.
In their calculations. officials do
lot overlook the possibility that the
OF the treaty by Ebert's
government might be so popular IN
Germany as to insure his support
ly a majority OF the people, IN
which case the only course open
vouldsbe resumption Of the war.
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