Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-01-11
U. S. TROOPS RECALLED

U. S. TROOPS RECALLED
Washington, Jan. 10-American
troops were ordered home from the
Rhine today with every indication
that the administrations purpose was
to emphasize its disapproval of the
French reparations program. They
are expected to be back in the United
States by cbruary 5.
Official explanation of the with
drawal order, issued Immediately af-
ter morning conference between
President Harding and Secretaries
Hughes and Weeks, was confined to
the statement that the president
deemed it expedient at this time.
There were limitations which ap-
peared authoritative, however, that
France had been informed that per-
severance in her plans, for forcible
measures in Germany would result in
American withdrawal from the Rhine,
but no inkling was given as to whom
or how diplomatic exchanges of such
a nature had been transmitted.
Ambassadors of the Allied countries
here, including the French and Am
erlcan ambassadors in Europe, were
promptly informed by the State De-
partment of the order. A cable mes
sage from the War Department to
Major General Allen, commanding the
American army of occupation, gave
him preliminary instructions to pre-
pare for withdrawal while orders also
wee Issued for the transport st. Mihiel
to sail from New York, Friday. She
will pick up about 40 officers and
more than 1000 men. comprising the
American force on the Rhine. either
at Hamburg or Bremen, as General
! Allen elects. .-a.-l..a.
= Actual movement of the troops
from Coblenz, it was said, would be-
gin just in time for them to embark
directly from trains. The only AM
erican military units left behind will
be detachments to complete DISPOSE
ton of stores and property not
brought home ard those in charge Of
| Graves Registration activities. Some
of General Aliens staff officers will
come by passenger ships as the st.
Mihiel cannot accommodate all.
Detailed orders to General Allen went
forward last night by mail. Today's
cable message was in the nature of a
preliminary advice upon which he can
| take immediate action. At the outset
! it said
1.-THE president has decided to re-
all troops of your command except
Graves Registration Service.
THE st. Mihiel making one trip
only. will be dispatched from New
York about January 18th to Bremen
| or Hamburg. Cable which you want.
You will utilize the maximum ca
pacity of this vessel for carrying per-
sonnet and all freight except officers
mounts. Excess supplies will be dis
posed Of in accordance with law and
! regulations. Excess personnel will be
transported on commercial liner to
New York, arrangements to be made
by YOU
After informing General Allen that
detailed instructions had been mailed
! to him, the message said the st. Mihiel
would first proceed to Savannah, Ga,
! then to Charleston. s. c.. and finally to
New York. At each port units will
discmbark.
| The cablegram also instructed or
CARNATIONS to return with individual
| equipment. colors, authorized house
hold effects and records only" and
stated that mo motor vehicles, paints.
! oils, greascs, subsistence stores or pub
| lie animals will be returned and only
| such authorized officers mounts .as
are now owned by officers desirinsrto
ship"
The Coblenz area, which has been
| under American command ever since
| the German army withdrew from the
bridgehead zone on the Rhine under
armistice terms, presumably will pass
| back to the custody of Marshal Foch
as Allied supreme commander in charge
of the enforcement of armistice condi-
lions.
! The American zone is held still I'M
der the armistice as the United States
is not party to the treaty of Yer
/ sailles which gave more permanent
| status to other forces of occupation.
While resolution proposed by Sem
ator Reed. Democrat. Missouri, urging
! withdrawal from the Rhine was adopt
| cd overwhelmingly by the Senate last
| Saturday when it became evident that
! the French were determined to carry
, out their program of forcing colfec-
! tons in Germany. there was no prelim-
mary indication that the president was
preparing for such step. The with
| drawal order came as a complete sur
prise to those who had knowledge of
the reasons that prompted the state
department to bring home the entire
command