The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-07-04
More Than Million U. s. Soldiers
o Sent to France.

Dered l,O1 o'Ioo VI IVY tc:,;rh+ h.,
President Wilson, who gave to the
public letter from Secretary Baker
disclosing a record of achievement
which the president said must cause
universal satisfaction" and which
will give additional zest to our ma.
tional celebration of the Fourth OF
July"
The first units-noncombatant-a
1 1877 Ane General Ie Pershing followed
twelve days later and at the end OF
the month LIS men had started
for the battlefields Of France.
June saw this number increase by
acriusaders' from the western repub
lie flowed overseas in steady stream
until upwards Of 100000 had de-
narted when the great German
thrust began last March.
President Wilson's determination
to meet Germany's supreme effort
able man power to assist the des-
perately resisting French and Brit
ish armies is sharply reflected in the
movement of troops during the last
three months. The March sailings
of 1871 were increased in April to
117.212. May saw another 244,345
men embark and last month 216,512
the three months of 637,929
This, Secretary Baker said later,
nut the troops movement six months
ahead of the original program.
Substantially thirty divisions are
now in France ready to meet what
ever move the German staff has in
preparation. Some, OF these divls-
the first field army under Major
General Liggett, others are holding
trench sectors at important points
along the battle line and still others
have been broken up and brigaded
with the French and British troops;
And so when the German thrus,
comes, the Americans will be called
upon to play no small part IN meet
ing it. A., o;
dent to that the supplies and equip
ment in France for the million men
who have gone is shown by latest
reports to be adequate and added
that "the output of our. war INDUS
tries in this country. is showing
all lines of necessary equipment ana
supply"
President Wilson's Statement.
The presidents statement, with
the letter from Secretary Baker and
ii have today received the follow
ing letter from the secretary OF war
which seems to me to contain infor-
nation which will be SO satisfactory
to the country that its publication
will be welcomed and will give ad-
ditional zest to our national celepra-
ton of the Fourth of July:
July /. 191S.WMy dear Mr.. Presi-
dent: More than one million Ameri-
can soldiers have sailed from the
ports in this country to participate
in the war in France. In reporting
this fact to you, | feel that you Will
be interested in few data sh !3
the progress of our overseas military
effort: IT,. -, M orv
nerso mhe sailed shP ma eSrf s. S7 hav
ing on board base hospital No. Z
and members of the reserve nurses
corps. ~: .o e.
sailed on May 20, a91h: fr Inc M Hm1
1917 i to and including June, 1918,
"'e aI Il LIS; June, r.,
261; July, 12,9Ss; August, 1929;
September, 32,523; October, 3S,259;
November, 23,O16; December, 49,
%"t1e1s-January, 4s,77s; Febr ?,
i17,212; May, 244,345; June, 276,-
Marines, l 4,644.
'Aggregating / ,O19, 115
The total number of troops re,
turned from abroad, lost at sea ana
casualty, is ,165 and OF these, ny
reason of the superbly 'efflclent pro
lection which the navy has gwen
our transport system, only 19l hd Se
been lost at sea. J..
The supplies and equipment in
France for all troops sent is, by our
latest reports, adequate and the out
put of our war Industries IN thls
country is showing marked improve
ment in practically all lines OF nee
essary equipment and supply.
Respectfully yours, q,
Newton d. Baker.
"To which l replied:
"'The White House, Washington,
July 2, 191o.-My dear Mr.. Secre-
tary: Your letter of July con-
tains very significant piece OF news
and an equally signlhcant report 90, 0d
past year to the other side of the
water. It is record which | think
must cause universal satisfaction,
because the heart of the country is
unquestionably in this war and the
people of the United states reJolce
to see their forces put faster and
faster into the great struggle which
is destined to redeem the world.
"'Cordially and sincerely yours,
Woodrow Wilson.
Hon. Newton D. Baker,
Secretary of War
Frowns on Speculation.
How long the present rate. Of
transportation will be maintained
depends upon Developments in
France and the length of time the
surplus ship tonnage furnished by
Great Britain can be employed.
Secretary Baker said tonight that
he disapproved of speculation as to
the future records di1 in troop nof pdes move 70
have ''past performances made the
basis of speculations for the future. -
AS reserves for the million and
more men now in France, more than
another million are now in training
in the. United States, 1t has ! been cen
officially announced that 100000
American soldiers will be under
arms by the end of this month, while