Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-05-15
If Enemy Signs Treaty Amer
lean Soldiers with Some Ex-
ceptiOns Will Be out of Occu-
pied Territory by June 1
REPORT IN COBLENZ
Trainlonds Of YanlSs VIII BE Moved
out Of the Rhineland Daily--Eauip-
ment viii He shipped Later

Coblenz. Tuesday, May 10. (By the
Associated Press)--If the Germans
sign the peace terms all the American
troops except the Third Corps and three
divisions and a few headquarters units
will be out of the occupied district of
Germany by June 1 or soon after that
date, according to reports in circula-
tion in Coblenz
1t is understood that the First, Sec
ond and Third Regular Divisions will
be those to remain for the duties in
connection with turning over the area
to French control. If the Germans ac-
cept the peace conditions, it is UNDER
stood preparations will begin imme-
diately for the remaining three divi-
sions or the Third Corps to withdraw
to France preparatory to embarking
for home.
The length of time REQUIRED to turn
affairs over to the French has not been
determined, but it is estimated that it
may take perhaps a month longer. If
the Germans do not accept. the plans
for the withdrawal of the Americans,
Of course, will be changed materially.
General Pershing, when asked by the
correspondent on Monday what would be
the part of the American army in the
event the Germans do not sign the treaty.
America will do her part whatever that
may be.
In connection with the report that all
the Americans. except the third corps
and three divisions will be out of Ger
many by June l provided the Germans
accept the peace conditions. it is UNDER
stood that the headquarters of the third
army will remain in Coblenz with
Lieutenant-General Hunter Liggett in
command. Tho task of paying bills and
checking up property preparatory to turn
ing the area over to the French will
quire a great mass of detail work hut
plans for the transfer of the Americans
from German soil have advanced to such
an extent in the last few days that latest
estimates are that possibly by August the
duties of the great mass OF the Ameri-
cans in connection with the occupation
will be virtually at end and the last
doughboy will have said goodbye to the
Rhine.
| The Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Sew.
enth Regular Army Divisions will be
turned over to the service of supply.
Various other units in the area of oc-
| cupation also will be ordered to France.
The Goth Division, consisting prn-
! cipally of national army men from Tex
as and Oklahoma, has been turned over
| to the service of supply and is sched-
uled to start moving for Brest within
| a week.
! Plans have been prepared that when
the Germans sign the treaty to begin
moving the troops Immediately. 1t is
hoped to move eight trains loaded with
| troops daily. The equipment of the
soldiers will be shipped out later. In
the area from which divisions are being
withdrawn a certain number of troops
from various American detachments
will be assigned to patrol duty, pend
ing the arrival of the French. This Is
considered necessary In the military
routine of guarding property and turn
ing over supplies, ammunition and
other articles of war to the army o.
relief