The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-08-05
European Republic Stronger
After Three Years Than
at Wars Start.
DUE TO DEVOTION>OF
PEOPLE SAYS TARDIEU
More Soldiers, More Guns,
More Ammunition, De-
clares Commissioner.
g. Associated Press.

Washington, Aug 4.--France is
stronger today in fighting men and
materials than 1T any time during the
war. despite three years of terrific
combat. of which the greatest share
among the allies has fallen to the
French. armies.
This is the cheering message to the
American people given tonight by
Andre Tardieu, high commissioner of
France in the United States, in for
NAL communication to Secretary
Baker, setting forth 4 detailed state
ment of what the devotion OF the
French people has made possible. II
contains stunning figures as to men,
guns and money they have contributed
to the war. 1t breathes the spirit of
confidence and high courage that still
animates the nation.
Ours to Strike Last Blow.
1t asserts without hesitation that the
United States is to aid in striking the
last blow at the foe.
'Such is the situation" says NJ.
Tardieu in conclusion. Severe was
the ordeal; stronger is the national
energy. Now it is a question of strik-
isg the last blow to the adversary. You
will help us.
But at the moment when American
soldiers arrive in France. it is proper
to let them know what they will find.
to receive them in n country which
today, as well as during the past three
years bears the principal exertion of
our dreadful foe; a country which
maintains to the maximum Of her
power without hesitation and without
weakness, her strength, her means and
her will"
Praises French Courage.
Secretary Baker pays high compli-
ment to the spirit of France in his
brief reply. American officers are
unanimous. he says, in their praise
the splendid courage and military
efficiency of the French people.
Now that America has begun to
contribute soldiers and material to this
war;" says the secretary. ut will be
we'll for our people to have the story
you have told, in order that we may
realize that our army is going to share
the imperishable glory. which belongs
to the soldiers of France and hel
| allies. who have fought so long and
with such increasing spirit and de-
termination in the cause Of liberty"
Can Maintain Force.
NJ. Tardieu says in his statement
that there are today nearly 100000
! French troops In the zone of ths
, armies alone, exclusive OF those in thu
zone of the interior and the colonies
There IL n million more men than were
! used to stem the German flood tide a,
the Marne and the greatest number
France has ever mustered In the fight.
ing zone. The commissioner adds thai
the force can be maintained FOR 3.
long time to come"
He shows that French 'dcfinitiv,
casualtics" in killed and prisoner,
have dropped from 5.4l per cent Of al
| mobilizcd forces at the battle Of tn,
Marne to les per cent during the las
six months OF 1916. that France /.
holding ga kilometers of the 739 kilo
meters on the western front and tha
her troops in June of this year wer
facing 81 of the 1913 German divisions
on that line.
Plenty Of HEAVY Guns.
As to guns. the commissioner show
that French armies have had an ampl
supply of the famous "75's" from tn,
first and that her 800 heavy guns il
August. 1914, had increased to 5000 II
June, 1917, giving one heavy gun 70
every 26 metres of the French often
sive fronts this year. Including al
field and trench guns. he says, ther
| CONTINUED From Page Two)