The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-04-06
UNCLE SAM
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was NJ once set in motion and the Sc
lection and organization Of the great
national army was begun. The Unit
ed States thus became for the nrst
time in Its history truly military ma
ton.
The next important step was to
provide protection from the German
agents whose activities in the United
states both before and after the dec
laration of belligerency had wrought
much havoc and endangered essen
tiol industries. The espionage act,
which covers a multitude OF SINS"
was made a law May 81. Judged by
American traditions its provisions are
stringent, but It has failed to curb the
activities Of spies. Of propagandists.
of dynamiters. Of incendiaries. Little
by little there has grown the demand
for real war measures against the IN
sidjous enemies who are fighting the
kaiser's battles in America.
Not till August 10 was 1t possible
for the administration to get enacted
a food control bill. The need was
imperative. but the playing of poll
tics and the selfish opposition OF spe-
cial interests caused a delay which
sorely tried the patience OF the
American people. AS finally enacted
the food bill placed food control IN
the hands of one man, and Mr..
Hoovers policies and suggestions
have met with hearty approval and
commanded general cooperation.
Meanwhile to raise the needful
funds for participation in the greatest
Of wars various measures were dis
cussed and approved by congress.
Liberty loans, savings stamps, anc
Increased income taxes have brought
home to every American the knowl-
edge that the nation that fights must
nav. and that the national obligation
cannot be shirked by any individual.
Army IL Trained.
Now a large army is "over there"
and a larger army Is in training
"oyer here" The building of the
military establishment has been car.
ried through without serious disloca-
ton OF the business and industries of
the nation. The army that Is now IN
France Is no mere expression or gooo
will II IL even more than promise
OF substantial help to come. It's num-
bers are not definitely known, but 1t
is large enough to be already factor
in the fighting. At this critical period
Of the war hundreds OF thousands OF
Americans are headed toward Europe
and on their arrival they will be
equipped to fight at once, without any
further preliminary training. To
General Foch, the newly named gen
eralissimo Of all the allied forces in
western Europe, General Pershing
has.tendered the entire American mill
itary establishment to be used in tho
great defense against Hindenburg.
For two months Americans have
been fighting in the front line
trenches The first mention OF Amer.
leans actually in battle came at the
time Of the German counterstroke,
which largely nullified Byng's bril-
liant victory in front OF Cambria.
American engineers were caught In
the German surprise, and America
had her first battle casualty lists.
Since then Americans have taken
over a considerable sector in French
Lorraine. 1t is a quiet" part OF the
front. and the appearance OF the
Americans has not encouraged the
Germans to make any unusual DEM
onstrations. Except for the usual
raids the Americans have as yet not
been in battle. They have. however
had a fine experience of Hun war
methods, and are prepared for moro
serious work at any time.
Shipping Problem Acute.
Even before Americas declaration
of belligerency the SHIPPING problem
had become acute. With America at
war the need of ships became as
pressing as the need Of men. The
shipping board had been created in
the fall Of 1915. and after the docla-
ration Of American belligerency its
scope and powers were greatly ex.
tended. BY October. 1917. congress
had authorized the expenditure Of ST.
934,000.000 for the construction and
purchase Of ships. The Emergency
Fleet Corporation, a subsidiary or
ganization of the shipping board. has
Communicated all vessels Of $500
tons and over building in the United
States. On May II the president was
authorised to seize all ships in the
Jurisdiction Of the United States
owned By any corporation or citizen
Of q nation at war with the United
States. German ships were immedi.
ately ssised. On December 8 con-
gress sanctioned q declaration OF war
against ustria.Hungary and few
Austrian ships were added to the
spoils Of war. Last month this ma
ton. acting In concert with Great
Britain, announced its intention. In
accordance with . recognised right
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