Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 May 1919 — BIG U. S. ARMY READY FOR HUNS [ARTICLE]

BIG U. S. ARMY READY FOR HUNS

Yank Troops Mass Along Rhine For Advance Against the Enemy. PREPARE TO MOVE ON BERLIN Generals on Leave Ito'called and Noldier* Hurried Forward in »OO Motor Truek* —Homeward Movement Held Up. Paris, May 23.—A* a precautionary measure, It was learned here, homeward movement of the Fourth and Fifth divisions of the army of occupation has been suspended. Coblenz, May 23. Lieut. Oen. Hunter Liggett, commander of the army of occupation, aud Maj. Gen. John Hines, commander of the Third corps, who were on their way to London, were recalled to Coblenz by orders from American general headquarters. Nine hundred motor trucks began to move from west of the Rhine to the bridgehead area. The trucks are being dlstrbuted to various points of advantage among the troops holding the rone east of the Rhine should the occasion arise for the Americans to start an advance. Ready to Move Toward Berlin. The recall of Generals Liggett and Hines, tt was learned In Coblenz, 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 organised for participation In the Empire dny festivities in London, In which Generals Liggett and Hines were also to take part, is being held in Coblenz because of the new turn in the peace situation. The regiment may be sent to London and Mrusseis as Intended if the peace treaty Is signed within the next few weeks. The movement of the motor trucks continued throughout the day and night, and was the topic of conversation among the German civilians in Coblenz. Many civilians complained that the trucks ns they rumbled across the Rhine bridges at night disturbed their sleep. The trucks, which have n capacity of from 30 to 40 soldiers, are fully equipped. They were taken to con'ccntratlon points of the two divisions on thejmst bank of the Rhine. The withdrawal from the area of occupation of the Ninetieth and Sixth divisions and the Fourth and Seventh corps The army of occupation at present consists of the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth divisions. The American officers ordered the German officials to caution civilians through the newspapers and otherwise that any resentment displayed by civilians toward the soldiers would not be tolerated and that serious results might follow in the event the Germans persist In the attitude exhibited recently in various parts of the area of occupation. Refuse to Give Half Sidewalk. Reports to AmejJcan headquarters show many Instances In the last few days of numerous shopkeepers attempting to overcharge American soldiers, and that Germans In the streets were particularly arrogant and refused In many cases to give half of the sidewalk. The Americans have Informed the Hermans that the soldiers are instructed to give half of the sidewalk when passing civilians, but in no event to step off the walk for German males. • Reports of the lofty attitude of civilians began reaching headquarters a week ago and Increased withyreports of delays at Versailles. Cancel Auction Sale*. Auction sales for the benefit of civilians of abandoned German army material and great quantities of noninllltnry property have been canceled until the present situation clears, by order of Lieut. Gen. Hunter Liggett, commander of the Third army. American officers say that if the Germans sign the terms the withdraw-, al of troops and other parts of the American program will be carried out Just whore It was left off Tuesday. Because of increased Indications of friction between German civilians and soldiers throughout the American area of occupation, American officers warned the burgomasters and other German officials that they would be held responsible for any violence or any attempts at destruction of American army property. --= British Commander at Coblenz. Colongne, May 23.—Gen. Sir William

Robertson, commander of the British troops In occupied Germany, visited American headquarters at Coblenz Wednesday. Mannheim In War Panic. Mannheim. May 23. —Alarmed by the belief that Germany t|lll not sign the peace treaty and that the allies will occupy Mannheim, citizens became panic-stricken and stormed the Municipal Savings bank. Many persons have fled from Mannheim. Large crowds later gathered and held protest meetings and other demonstrations, which added to the general confusion in the town.