Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-01-10
u. S. FORCES IN
COBLENZ DOING
GOOD SERVICE

American Forces in Germany are as
sisting in every possible way in
| bringing about the ultimate stabili-
cation of Europe generally, accord
ing to recent announcement here.
The American attachments on the
Rhine are now virtually on a peace
time footing, the policy Of Major
General Henry T. Allen, in command,
now as always. being to treat the ci-
william population with consideration
but at the same time maintaining, of
| course, the dignity and prestige of an
army of occupation and of the Inter
Allied Rhinelan1 High Commission.
Outlining the policy of the Ameri-
can Forces to some 400 officers, Col
onel w. H. Hay. chief of staff. made
it clear that part of the duties of
the army under the present circum-
stances was to help whenever the op-
portunity presented itself to create a
friendly spirit ;:mong the countries of
Europe and. in this way carry out the
peaceful missions so desired by the
majority of the nations of the world.
The policy of General Allen, said
Colonel Hay, had always been to deal
with the Germans considerably, and
at the same time firmly. and he en-
phasized the importance of each
member of the army so conducting
himSelf as to always reflect only credit
upon his uniform and his country. The
United States as whole, he said.
would be judged by Europeans for
years to come, long after the Ameri-
can army had gone home. by the Of
ficers and enlisted men comprising the
Rhinelahd forces at the present time.
Colonel Hay pointed out that his
remarks with reference to inter-
courses between the Americans and
Germans had no bearing. on the
question of social relations. as this.
he thought, would naturally take care
of itself: and said that the Ameri-
can officers would probably continue
to conduct themselves as heretofore,
the relations of officers and the Ger
mans having been confined chiefly to
association only in official capacities.
American officers generally have
never associated with the Germans in
the three years of occupation, and
there has been no attempt on either
side to establish social relations.
There have been exceptions both
ways, but at the present time there
is no tendency on the part of Ameri-
can officers nor the better class of
Germans to inaugurate ordinary So
cial relations. ana each goes his sep
arate way trying to make the best of
circumstances unavoidable in an oc-
cupied area. -Iany German families
of the upper class have left Coblenz
since the occupation began rather
than put up with the inconvenience
brought about in The matter of bill
letting, all of the occupied cities being
short of housing and Office space and
consequently overcrowded.
Colonel David l.. Stone, representa-
tive of General Allen on the Inter-Al-
lied Rhineland High Commission, al
so addressed the officers, describing
the organization and duties of the
Commission and the general effect of
American participation in the Rhine
land occupation. Colonel Stone said
many Americans,and Europeans who
had visited the area were of the
opinion that, because of Americas
impartiality with regard to European
affairs. the mere fact of American
forces participating in the occupation
and continuing to do so, would have
a far-reaching influence upon the
progress Of Sterilization of Central
European affairs.
Still greater effect would be shown,
Colonel Stone said, as the American
forces here displayed in themselves
the traditional reputation of the
United States tpr justice and square
dealing to all. and he urged every
American ofdcer to realize this and
to impress the fact upon the enlisted
men, and that each and every Ameri-
can should do his own individual
part in the great work before him.
Colonel Stone urged the Americans to |
post themselves upon European con- !
ditions 50 that upon returning home
each could give his friends clear In