The Donaldsonville chief., 1918-04-06

AMERICAS WAR g.:
RECORD AMAZING,
ACHIEVEMENTS OF ARMY AND
NAVY in PAST YEAR.
Great Republic Setting Speedy Pace.
The following statements are from
the official review of the first year of
war, made public by the Committee
j on Public information:
Total estimated expense of the
United States government in the first
year of war, without loans to the
allies, $12,067,278,679.O
During the first year of war the
United States army has increased in
actual strength from 1924 officers and
202,51O enlisted men to 123,8O1 Of
fcers and l,528,924 enlisted men.
Strength Of the navy today is nearly
$1,000 officers and 100000 enlisted
men; strength year ago was 4792
officers and 77,946 enlisted men. The
total number OF persons now in the
naval establishment exceeds 425,000.
The first contingent of the expedi-
tionary forces landed safely at a
French port 88 days after war was de-
clared. American troops went on the
line for their baptism of fire 1877 days
after war was declared.
Nearly $4,000 mechanics and other
civilian employees are working at
navy yards and stations.
More than TOO privately owned YES
sells have been purchased or chartered
by the navy.
Some 800 wooden mills are working
on army contracts.
Over 20,000,0O0 pairs of shoes
have been ordered for the army.
The Treasury Department floated
$6,616, ,532, 300 subscriptions to Lib
erty bonds.
Loans totalings 4,436,329, ,75O had
been made to cobelligerent nations up
to March IL, 1913.
Total weight Of steel thrown by a
single hroadside from the battleship
Pennsylvania today is 1868 pounds;
single broadside from the battleship
during Spanish American war was
$500 pounds.
Two weeks after war was declared
contracts had been made covering the
requirements of an army of 100000
men, this material comprising $780,
900 items.
More than 1900 manufacturers
bid for navy business.
Total deaths in the army from April
6, 1917, to March IA, 1918, for all
causes, was reported by the adiutant
generals Office to be 1191. OF this
number, 1872 were reported as killed
in action and 237 died or were lost at
sea. The total number wounded in
action was 2 Al. FIVE men have
been reported as missing 28 Of them
are said to have been captured. Cas-
ualties in the navy and Marine Corps
from April to December 81, 1917,
include naval officers and 139 en-
listed men, killed or died from
wounds. No officers were reported as
wounded in action, but 10 enlisted
men were so reported.
Government now operates 100000
miles of railway, employing 100000
men and representing investment Of
S17,5O0,000,000
Bonds, certificates of Indebtedness,
war savings certificates, and thrift
stamps issued by the treasury up to
March IL totaled $8,560,802,052.96. |
To March IL the war-risk insurance
bureau had issued policies to the arm
ed forces for total of $12, i 49,
500.
Allotments and allowances to SOL
diers' and sailors dependents paid by
the government in February amount
ed to $19,976,543.
The ordnance department manufac-
lures about 100000 items. One type
of gun with its carriage has 1890
parts, exclusive Of accessories.
For training troops in cantonments
1,000,000,000 rounds of ammunition
have been bought.
The navy has developed an Ameri- |
can mine believed to combine all the |
good points of various types Of mines, |
and is manufacturing them in guam
titles.
Army medical training schools have
been created with capacity Of 1000
officers and men; $4,000 enlisted men
and 5000 officers already trained and
graduated.
Naval communication service op-
crates all radio service; 5000 youths
are studying autobiography at two
naval schools.
Medical officers numbering 1875
are members of the medical depart
ment of the navy. Navy maintains
$4,000 hospital beds and 5000 are be-
ing added.
Of 63,203 candidates for officers
commissions at two officers training
44,578 were successful; third
series is now in progress with $4,000
in attendance.
During the year the latest type Of
naval 16-inch gun was completed for
our new battleships; it throws a pro-
jectile weighing 2100 pounds.
When war was declared, 1873 naval
vessels were building or authorized,
and contracts have been placed since
that time for 949 vessels.
Before the war total of $780,
900 had been appropriated for air ser
vice. Congress has made $691 ,0OO,-
900 available for aircraft production
in the first year of war.
Over 20 large companies are manu-
featuring airplanes, Is are producing
engines, and more than 400 are pro-
ducing spare parts, accessories, and
supplies.
Naval training camps have capac-