The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-07-27
Transportation Overseas of More Than One Million
American Fighters is Outstanding Feature Of
Fourth Year Of Struggle, During Which the Allies
Have Faced Two Great Offensives, Made Posi-
bic, by the Collapse Of Russia General Review Of
Events During the Entire Year.
(By Associated Press)


OF the Entente alliance.
1t was on July 2S, 1914 that Austria
declared war on Serbia, beginning
the great struggle. During the past
twelve months there have been &C.
curences that in some aspects have
been of even greater import in their
influence upon the world, than those
In the preceding period Russia's col
lapse. the Italian defeat last autumn,
the stupendous drive of the Germans
against the Allied armies, and the
wonderful defensive operations that
have again and again checked the
enemy when success for him seemed
near at hand have held the world
breathless
But transcending the significance
of any event in the actual theatres
Of the war. Americas full participa-
ton in the conflict, involving the
transportation overseas OF more than
million men to engage in it, must
remain for all time the great outstand-
, ing 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.
Only Handful Sent.
A year ago the number OF Ameri-
can troops going to Europe had not
begun to assume large proportions.
A few regulars and some National
Guardsmen had been sent to France,
but most Of the big 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 the first
day OF August, 1917, the total number
of American soldiers taken overseas
was 26,967.
Soon after that date the movement
OF troops was accelerated. Thous-
ands were dispatched across the At
lantic, during the winter months, but
1t was not until the great German Of
fensive was started late in March
that the movement of troops began
to assume really noteworthy proper
tons. The figures for the months
ffrom August l, 1917 to July l, 1918,
follows:
August, 1929; September, 32,523;
October, 3S,259; November, 23,O16;
December, 4S,S40; January. 46,776;
February, 4S,O27; March, S3,S11 April.
117,212; May, 244,345; June 276,3S2.
Over Million Mark.
On July l., 1918, there were 1854
American marines in France, bringing
the total number of American troops
in that country and Italy up to 1918,
l15.
During the recent fighting in
France the work of the American
soldiers has compared favorably with
that OF any other fighting men in the
world. They have held sectors here
and there along the front. They are
in Alsace and northward in the Lor-
raine sector The famous st. Michael
sector is held by Americans, who are
posted also on the lines along the
heights of the Meuse. East of Rheims
they took part in the fighting during
the last phase of the German often
sive. while in the Chateau Thierry
sector they held their line in a vital
region against the utmost fury Of the
Teutonic onslaught. North of Cha
teau Therry, Americans helped to
stop the drive of the Germans in the
early days of June; and in the Somme
sector, at Catigny and Grivesnes Nley
have given proof of their SOLD cry
qualities.
The allies have been called upon to
face two great offensives during the
Der in Italy, and the second In France
began on March 81. The German
drives in France, while separated by
periods of from a few days to several
weeks, have been considered as diff
ferent phases OF the same offensive.
The abortive Austrian attack against
Italy in June also is looked upon
merely as another attack against the
81
military operation.
But these offensives perhaps never
would have been begun had it not
been for The Collapse OF Russia during
the past winter. German and Austrian
troops, released from the Russian !
front, were taken to France and Italy |
to swell the masses of men hurled |
against the allies in the western thea |
ter OF operations. As long as Russia |
remained in the fight she held great |
numbers of Teutonic troops in the |
east, and he withdrawal from the war !
exercised 4 fundamental influence on
the course of its development.
Situation a Year Ago.
The year opened with the fortunes
of war apparently favoring the enten-
te The British had forced back the |
Germans TO tne famous f1lHueHDuFS
line. The French had established .
themselves firmly along the Chemin
des Danes, north of the Aisne. The
echoes of Verdun were still ringing |
the knell OF German hopes in that Sec
tor OF the battle area The Italians
were holding their lines along the
Isonzo. The rejuvenated Russian
regiment of July First" had carried
the war far into the Austrian defenses
in Bukowina and Galacia.
Through August and September,
1917 there came rumors that Russia
was exhausted by the war. and quiet
settled down along the lines from the
gates Of the Carpathians to the Baltic.
Stories We're heard of determination of
German and Russian troops, but assur-
ances came from Petrograd that Rus
STA would stand true to her allies.
Fall Offensive in Italy.
The German and Austrian High
Commands had no illusions as to fur
Their Russian beliigerency. There
came to the allies reports that the
Central Empires We're taking the pick
Of their force from the Russian front
and concentrating them for a drive