Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-04-09

The record Of what the United States has
complished during the first year OF its war against
Germany should inspire every American with fresh
confidence IN the nations strength and leadership
and with quickened resolution to do his loyal ut
most in the performance of the vast labors that
tower ahead.
Twelve months ago our army numbered about
two hundred thousand men and nine thousand five
hundred officers; today it numbers upward of one
and a half million and one hundred and
twenty-three thousand eight hundred officers. Our
navy has expanded during the same period from
a personnel of eighty-one thousand seven hundred
and ninety-two officers and men to a present total
Of more than four hundred and twenty-five thou
sand AS for vessels, there are four times as many
in the service now as there were year ago. The
production of rifles has exceeded requirements to
such extent that monthly reserve Of two hum
dred thousand is now accommodating. The output of
machine guns has increased from twenty thousand
TO two hundred and twenty-five thousand year,
while that field artillery has increased in proper
ton. In aviation twenty-four flying fields for the
training OF thousands OF avators have been put into
operation; all the machines needed for this have
been forthcoming, and deliveries have begun
battle planes for at the front. The Shipping
Board has let contracts for vessels aggregating
eight and a quarter million tons substantial por-
ton OF which nOwlwell the way to completion;
the Board also has Communicated three hundred
and ninety-three steel vessels which were under
construction at the outbreak of the war and has
seized and put into commission some seven hun
bred and eighty thousand tons of German and Aus
trian ships
These are but few of the outstanding items
in the record, and they show only its prepara
tory side. II the twelve-month had been consumed
entirely in preparation-fa efficient
preparation enabling to do what we now can do
1T would have been proftably spent But there
has been great deal of direct and highly effective
participation as well. Within twenty-eght days
after Congress declared feet of American
destroyers sinking U-boats in European waters,
and from the very outset the navy valuable
patrol service. Within less than ninety days an
contingent American
in France, and thenceforward their number stead
lily grew until now, it is believed upwards of half
a million of our are there, a hundred thou
sand or more being in the thick OF the fight The
financial aid we have rendered our Allies and the
food stores We have sent them have been of in
eaIcuIable Importance. OF chief Importance how
ever has been the moral effect of our entrance
upon the field. So forceful and conclusive have
been President Wilson's statements of the war
ism has been driven from its last diplomatic cover
while America has been given practical diplomatic
leadership Of the nations that fight for freedom
But all that we have accomplished during our
first year Of the war, both in the way OF prepara-
ton and actual performance, is only the basis and
starting point Of what must accomplish this wear
to make sure Of victory and to hasten the day of
its glorious coming. We must build more ships
manufacture more guns produce more food and
thousands more men at the battle front and train
hundreds OF thousands more here at home We
must shoulder heavier burdens meet grimmer du-
ties walk through darker shadows; and all this we
must do in wholehearted, accomplishing patriotism
The most helpful beginning each of us can
make Of this year OF war is to buy one or more
OF the new Liberty Bonds.