Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-04
WAR TIME FOURTH
TO Be CELEBRATED
Nation Will Observe Indepen-
dence Day With Conscious
ness of Task Well Done.
ACHIEVEMENTS UNRIVALED
In Three Months It Has Done
Vast Things in Prepara-
ton for Conflict.

lean nation will celebrate wartime
anniversary Tomorrow with the con-
SciousneSs OF having written within the
short space of a few weeks a chapter
In national achievement unrivaled, in
many respects. in the history of the
world.
Three months ago to-day President
Wilson asked Congress formally to de-
clare a state Of war with Germany and
TO prepare the nation. after years of
peace and military unpreparedness, to
use all of its resources to make the
world safe for democracy. Tomorrow
American troops, summoned from the
border and from foreign soil and car
ried overseas in defiance of the sub
marine menace, will march through the
streets of Paris, ready TO take their
places behind the firing lines on land
while American waruhips in force hold
important sectors of the great ma val
lines which command the seas Back
of these major accomplishments stand
others less spectacular. but no less
notable or important in the monu-
mental task OF preparation.
WORK OF ORGANIZING
ARMY WELL UNDER WAY
Upwards of 100000 men have been
registered under war legislation for
military work. and the work of or
ganizinG universal service army is
we'll under way. Scores of America n
merchant vessels have been armed and
have taken their toll OF U-boats, and
colossal shipbuilding program to
crush the U-boat blockade is far ad-
vanced.
More than o.o7o.ooo has been
loaned to the enemies of Germany TO
relieve their economic needs. and n
$4,000. 100000 bond issue has been
fioated with large oversubscription.
To take a Arm grasp on the economic
situation at home food administra-
ton has been organized, an export con-
troll council created and the nations
enormous Industrial resources mar
shaled for national service. program
/ of food legislation nearing completion
soon Will enable enforcement Of an
efficiency which it took most of the
belligerents years to attain
Besides the universal service law,
Congress has enacted an espionage act,
under which the country has been
secured for German agents and many
Of them brought into custody; war
budget totaling more than $4,000. 900, 300
TO meet the initial costs of the war and
many other measures.
A bill empowering the President to
direct what necessities shall have
preference in commerce has passed
both Senate and House and is in con-
ference Another to raise more than
$500. 100000 in war taxes has passed
the House.
DEsTRoYERs Modified
WITHIN FEW DAYS
American destroyers were mobiiized
QUILTED and sent to the North Sea
within few days after war was de-
clared. With them went their own
supply vessels and numerous converted
craft. adapted to naval use Their
number and the exact duty they have
assumed never has been revealed, but
that they have been recognizd as a
formidable part of the grand allied fleet
was evidenced by the designation re-
Gently of Vice Admiral Sims TO com
mand all the forces in the important
zone off Ireland. Similarly. in the
South Atlantic, the patrol of which was
assumed by the United States along
with the patrol of American shores,
Admiral Caperton, with squadron Of
Pacific coast cruisers, has assumed
command. All the French and British
warships remaining there are under his
authority.
The first expeditionary force to
France included regulars brought from
the Mexican border and marines hastily
transported from Haiti and Santo Do
mingo. They had TO be recruited to
war strength. equipped and supplied
for months of campaigning. Only one
vessel used was ready for the trans
port duty when the order came
In the three months the navy has
been recruited up to 126,0O0 men from
less than 60,o00 and training given
to thousands of gunners and crews for
hundreds of submarine chasers. The
marine corps has been recruited from
1900 to nearly 10000. and the regular
army from about 10000 to 100000
Scores of new regiments have been or
EaniZed and contracts let for artillery
rifles. machine guns and military
equipment running into billions Of dol
lars. The National Guard has been in
creased from less than 100000. after
men with dependents had heen weeded
out. TO probably 100000
PLANS FOR NEW ARMY
PROGRESS RAPIDLY
The plans for the new army to be
drawn by selective draft have pro-
Gressed so far that exemption regula-
tons have been prepared and exemp-
ton boards appointed. and another
month Will see the personnel Of the
first 100000 active troops and 125.oo0
reservists selected and awaiting mo-
bilization. Sixteen military cities to
house them during training are under
construction. To provide officers. near
ly $4,000 men have teen selected
equipped and sent to training camps,
where they have been under instruc-
tion for six weeks.
Special camps have been provided for
thousands of civilian doctors. for mill
tary service. special hospitals built.
and many medical units already dis.
patched to Frame.
Organization Of nine special engineer
regiments composed entirely Of expo
CONTINUED on Second Page5