The sun., 1918-07-28


nations have marked the
fourth year of the war which
now comes to a close. 1t has been a
twelvemonth Of alternate hope and
concern for the Entente Alliance. 1t
was ON July 2S, 1914, that Austria de-
clared war on Serbia, beginning the
great struggle. During the last twelve
months there have been occurrences
that in some aspects have been of
even greater import in their influence
upon the world than those in the pre-
ceding period.
Russia's collapse, the Italian defeat
last autumn, the stupendous drives of
the Germans against the allied armies
and the wonderful defensive opera
lions that have again and again
checked the enemy when success for
him seemed near at hand have held
the world breathless.
But transcendRg the significance
Of any event in the actual theatres Of
the war is Americas full participation
in the conflict. Involving the trans
portation overseas of more than n mill
ion men to engage in 1t, it must re-
main for all time the great outstanding
feature of the fourth year OF the
struggle. 1t is upon America that the
Entente Is relying for the men and
resources to turn the tide, says the
Associated Press war review.
A year ago the number OF Amer
lean troops going to Europe had not
begun to assume large proportions. A
few regulars and National Guardsmen
had been sent to France, but most Of
the 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 August 1. 1917. the total number
of American soldiers taken overseas
was 26,967.
Troop Movements Rushed.
Soon after that date the movement
of troops was accelerated. Thousands
were despatched across the Atlantic
during the winter months, but 1t was
not until the great German offensive
was started late in March, 1918. that
the movement began TO assume really
noteworthy proportions. The figures
for the months from August l. 1917
to July 1, 1918, follow:
August, 1s'323.
septemper. sS,oIs.
S $1,000
December. 4S,S4O.
January. A0.77a.
February, 4S,O27.
March, s3.s11.
April, 117.c12.
May 2A.34S.
suhe' S'o''oS'
On July l, 1918, there were 1854
American marines in France. bring
ing the total number Of American
troops in that country and Italy up tc
1.019,115.
During the recent fighting In France
the work of the American soldiers has
compared favorably with that Of Other
nghting men In the world. They have
held sectors here and there along the
front. They are in Alsace and north
ward In the Lorraine sector. The IA
NOUS st. Mihiel sector Is held by
Americans, who are posted also on ths
line along the heights of the Meuse
East OF Rheims they took part in thu
fighting during the last phase of thu
German offensive, while in the Cha
teau Thierry sector they held thel
line IN vital region against the Ut
most fury OF the Teutonic onslaught
North of Chateau Thierry American
= helped to stop the drive OF the Ger
mans In the early days OF June ant
In the Somme sector, at Cantigny ant
.GriVesnes, they have given PROOF o
their soldlerly qualities.
Inc Allies nave peen called upon u
lace TWO great onensiVes during TN
year. Inc hrst or these came las
OCTOBER In Italy and the second, II
FRANCE began on March Il. Inc Ger
man drives IN france, while separated
py lew Gays 10 several weeks nav
peen CONSIDERED as Inherent phases
the same offensive. me aoortiV
austrian attack against ltaly IN Jun'
also Is looked upon as merely anothe
attack against the western front an'
Hot as olstihct military operation.
But these oHenslVes perhaps neVe
would nave peen pegun mad u not peei
ior the colIapse OF Russia during I'M
past "ihler' herman ana austrian
troops released from the RUSSIAN
'front.', were taken TO france and ltal!
10 swell the masses hurled against TIT
Allies IN the western theatre
operations AS long as RUSSIA re
numbers n, Tertonic troons IN th,