Republican farmer., 1918-08-02
ACTIVITIES OF THE UNITED
 STATES AND ALLIES HAVE HELD WORLD bREATHLESS

Events big with the fate of nations have marked the fourth year of the war which now comes to a close. It
 has been 0 twelve months of alter nate hope and concern for the Pow CTS of the Entente Alliance.
 It was on July 28, 1914, that Aus-
 tria declared war on Serbia, beginning
 the great struggle. During the past twelve months there have been occur rences that in some aspects have been
 of even greater import in their infiu-
 ence upon the world than those in the preceding period. Russia's collapse,
 the Italian defeat last Autumn, the stupendous drives of the Germans
 against the Allied armies, and the 1 wonderful defensive operations that
 have again and again checked the
 enemy when success for him seemed
 near at hand have held the world | breathless. But, transcending the significance any event in the actual
 theatres of the war, Americas full participation in the conflict, involving
 the transportation overseas of more
 than a million men to engage in it
 must remain for all time the great !
 of the struggle. It is upon America
 that the Entente is relying for the men
 and resources to turn the tide.
 A year ago the number of American
 troops going to Europe had not begun
 to assume large proportions. A few
 regulars and some National Guards
 men had been sent to France, but
 most of the big military training
 camps were still being built and the
 men selected as the first contingent
 to be called to the colors were still
 in citizens clothes. Until the first day , of August of 1917 the total number of
 American soldiers taken overeas was ) 26,967.
 Soon after that date the movement of troops was accelerated. Thousands l were despatched across the Atlantic, : during the winter months. but it was not until the great German offensive was started late in March of 1918 that
 the movement began to assume really noteworthy proportions. The figures ] for the months from Aug. 1, 1917 to } July 1, 1918, follow:
 ? August, 18.323; September, 32,523; } October, 3S,259; November, 23,O16; ? December 4S,84O; January, 46,776; 5 February. 4S,O27; March, 83,811; April, 117,212; May, 244,345; June, 5 276,382.
 On July 1, 1918, there were 14,644 5 American marines in France, bringing ) the total number of American troops f in that country and Italy up to 1,019,-
 115.
 . During the recent fighting in = France the work of the American sol t diers has compared favorably with r that of other fighting men in the ? world. They have held sectors here s and there along the front. They are g in Alsace and northward in the LOT ) raine sector. The famous St. Mihiel
 sector Is held by Americans, who are posted also on the line along the !. heights of the Mouse. East of Rheims
 they took part in the fighting during
 the last phase of the German offenz
 sive, while in the Chateau -Thierry
 sector they held their line in vital ! region against the utmost fusy of the
 Teutonic onslaught. North of Cha \ teau Thierry, Americans helped to
 stop the drive of the Germans in the
 early days of June; and in the Somme . sector, at Cantigny and Grivesnes they
 have given proof of their soldiery
 qualities.
 The Allies have been called upon tc
 face two great offensives during the
 past year. The first of these came g last October in Italy and the second o in France began on March 21. The
 German drives in France, while sepa
 rated by periods of from a few day: s to several weeks, have been consid l. cred as different phases Of the same 't offensive. The abortive Austrian at
 tack against Italy in June also i' n looked upon as merely another attacl Is against the western front and not al l a distinct military operation. Il But these offensives perhaps nevel Is would have been begun had it no I. been for the collapse of Russia dur d ing the winter. German and Austrian e troops, released from the Russian
 front, were taken to France and Ital! 'r to swell the masses of men hurled Le against the Allies in the Wester1 e theatre of operations. As long a d Russia remained in the fight she helC d great numbers of Teutonic troops il 10 the East, and her withdrawal iron 1t the war exercised a fundamental ii. 1uence on the course of It's develop d ment.
 le Situation Year Ago. 1 The year opened with the fortune of war apparently faveTing the En
 tente. The British had forced bacl ,, the Germans to the famous Hinden s' burg line. The French had establish =. ed themselves firmly along the Chem - in des Danes, north of the Aisne, Tn
 echoes Of Verdun were still ringin
 the kneil of German hapes in tha l., sector of the battle area. The Italian . were holding ther lines along tn :, 1sonzo, The rejuvenated Russia:
 regiment Of July First" had carrie .o the war far into the Austrian defense '. in Bukowina and Gaiieia.
 1 Through August and septeTnbe, 11 1917, there came runners that Russi nt was exhausted by the war, and auie ,s settled down aieng the lines from tn
 gates of the Carpathians to the Bal - tie. Stories were heard of fraterniza --s= tioa of German and Russan troop ~ but assurances came from Petregra ,i that Russia would stand true to he ae allies.
 .d Fail Offensive in ftaiy. ae Fhe German and Austrian Hig ef Commands had no illusions as | he further Russian belligeEene.:. Ther ea came to the Allies reports that tn
 Central Empires were taking the pic a. of their force from the Russian frer n- and concentrating them for a driy of against some part of the line in tis