The Dermott news., 1918-04-11
FIRST YEAR OF
WAR REVIEWED
Achievements Of United States
Recounted in Official State.
mentS.
GREAT ARMY IN TRAINING
Land Forces Now Aggregate 123,90t
Officers and 1,s2s,92A Enlisted
Men--Navy Personnel 10
Tripled.

TripIsd.
The United States Is now entering
upon its second year of war. On the
first anniversary of the beginning of
hostilities between this country and
Germany. the people are interested in
knowing what has been done by the
United States In waging and prepar-
ing to wage war upon the forces of
Prussian autocracy The committee
on public Information of the United
States government, in review of the
first Year of the war, gives resume
Of the activities of the various de-
partments of the government as they
are concerned with prosecution of the
war. The committee announces that
all statements made are authorized
by the war department, the navy de-
partment, the United States shipping
board and the treasury department.
The outstanding feature of the first
year OF war, II is pointed out
In the review, has been the trsnsfor-
nation of the standing army and Ma
tional Guard. composed of 1924 Off
GERS and 90, $40 men into a fighting
force that now aggregates 123,S0l of
ficers and los 24 enlisted men.
statement of the adIutant general
shows that the regular army which in
April. 1917, comprised 5.79l officers
and 121 197 men. now is made up o.
1o.6oS officers and 5o3, 142 men. The
National Guard in April. 1917, includ.
ed 1888 officers and -6,713 men, while
now 1t comprises 1888 officers and
All $50 men The reserve corps in
service one year ago included 1000
men. Now 1t Includes 962io officers
aud - 800 men. The National army,
which did not exist one year ago, now
includes 516.S39 men.
\ substantial vanguard (miitary
expediency prohibiting publication of
actual numhersl of this army is meet
Ing the enemy in France today or Is en-
camped there awaiting the call to the
trenches In Is environments and III
camps and on numerous aviation fields
and in variety OF other schools in
nil parts Of the United States the men
OF the remaining army are hardening
and training for their part in the great
contest overseas.
Behind the activities of this vast
force lies n great industry organized
TO produce an adequate supply of mu-
nttions. equipment, and provisions.
and 10 provide transportation To the
firing line, almost every branch of
essential industry of the country hay
ing been drawn upon to produce these
material requirements.
Expeditionary Forces.
Military necessity particularly for
bids detailed review of the activities
OF the American eNpeditiouary forces.
General pershing and his staff ar
rived In Paris on June H. 1917. 60
days after the declaration of war The
first American troops arrived in
France on Iune %. on July 4. IN cell
ehration of our natal day and new
fight FOR liberty, American troops pa
raded the streets of Paris and We're
greeted as the forerunners of great
American armies and vast quantities
OF supplies and ammunitIonS
On October 10. 1917. lsI days after
the war was declared. American sol
diers went ON the firing line. In Jan
uary American soldiers took over per-
manently a part OF the line ns an
American sector. and this line is grad.
ually lcugthening.
Behind the fighting line in France
the American forces have scientifically
prepared a groundwork OF camps. com
munlcations supply bases, and works
In anticipation OF operations by the
full force OF the army. They are
building and have built railroads, hos
pitfalls. ordnance bases, and docks in
France They have constructed Inn
mense barracks erected sawmillS, re-
claimed agricultural lands. and car
ried forward many incidental enter
prises.
The construction OF an ordnance
base In France, costing 5000 600, Is
now well under way. Great quantities
Of material used in the foreign con
struction work have been shipped from
the United States-from fabricated
ironwork for an ordnance shop to nails
and Crossties for railroads, and even
the piles To build docks.
All the while there has been a fairly
even flow Of men and materials from
the United States To France. The men
In the trenches. back of the lines. on
the construction projects. and in the
hospitals have been steadily supplied.
Our losses ut sea, in men and mate
rails, have been gratifyingly small.
The greatest single loss occurred on