Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-08-02

Events big WIN lnt lltc VI H'itioi7
have marked the fourth year OF The
war which now comes 10 close. IL
has been IL months OF alternating
hope and concern for the powers OF
the Entente Alliance.
II was on July 2S. 1914. that Austria
declared war on Serbia. beginning IN"
great struggle. During the past l.
months th"r" har" been occurrences
that in some aspects have been 0i
even greater import in their influence
uIon the world than thos" in the pre-
ccding period. Russia's collapse,
tn. Italian defeat last autumn. IN"
stupcndOus drives of the Germans
against the Allied armies, and IN"
wonderful defensive operations that
have again and again checked the
enemy when success for him seemed
near at hand have held the world
hrrathlcsS. l;ut transccnding the sig
niiiCancc of any event in the actual
theatres OF the war. Americas full
participation in the conflict. involving
thu. transportation overseas of moro
than a million men TO engage in II
must remain for all time the great
outstanding feature OF the fourth year
OF the struggle. II is upon America
that the Entente is relying for the
men and resources to turn the tide.
year ago the number of American
troops going to Europe had not be
gun To assume large proportions.
few regulars and some National
GuirtiSncn had been sent to France.
hut most OF the big military training
men selected as the first contingent
To hc called to the colors were still in
citizens clothes. Until the first day
OF August of 1917 the total number of
American soldiers taken overseas was
2G.967.
Soon after date the movement of
troops was accelerated. Thousands
were despatched across the Atlantic.
during the winter months. hut 1t was
not until the great German offensive
was started late in March of 1918 that
tn" movement hcgan to assume really
noteworthy proportions. The figures
for the months from August l. 1917. to
July l. 1918. follow:
August. 1898: September. 32.523:
October. $3.50; November. 23.OlG:
December. $3.50: January. 46.776:
February. 4S.O27; March. S3.S1l; April.
ll7.2l2: May. 2ii.3i5; June. 276.3S2.
On July l. 1918. there were 1864
American marines in France. bring
ing the total number OF American
troops in that country and Italy up
to l,Ol9.ll5.
Americans Will Fight.
During the recent fighting in France
the work of the American soldiers has
compared tavorably with that of 9TH
or lighting men in the world. They
have held sectors here and there
along the front. They are in Alsace
and northward in the Lorraine sector.
The famous 81. Mihicl sector Is held
10y Americans, who are posted also on
the line along the heights of the
Nrusc East of Rheims they took
part in the lighting during the last
phase of the German offensive, while
IN the Chateau Thierry sector they
held their line in vital region
against the utmost fury OF the Tcu-
tonic onslaught. North of Chateau
Thirrry. Americans helped to stop the
drive of the Germans In the early days
of June: and In the Sommc sector,
at Cantirny and Grivcsnes they have
given proof of their soldierly quail
ties.
The Allies have been called upon to
face two great offrnsivcs during the
Iglst year. The first OF these came
last October in Italy and the second
In France. began ON March u. The
German drives in France while sep
aratcd hy periods of from few day:
TO several weeks. have been consid-
cred IN different phases Of the same
offensive. The ahortive Austrian at
tack against Italy in June also Is
looked upon as merely another attack
against the western front and not
as distinct military operation.
but these ofrcnsivcs perhaps never
would have been begun had IL not
been for the collapse OF Russia during
the past winter. German and rian
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 the
atre Of operations. AS long as Russia
remained in the right she held great
numbers Of Tcutonic troops in the
east. and her withdrawal from the war
exercised fundamental influence on
the course Of it's development.
The year opened with the fortunes
OF war apparently favoring the En-
tcntc. The british had forced back
the Germans to the famous Hinden-
burg line. The French had establish
cd themselves firmly along the Chem
In dcs 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 rcjuvenatcd Russian
regiment OF July First" had carried
the war far into the Austrian dcfenscs
in Bukowina and Galicia.
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 were heard of fraternization
OF German and Russian troops. but
assurances came from Pctrograd that
Russia would stand true to her allies.
Fall Offensive in Italy.
The German and Austrian high COM
mands had no illusions rs to further
Russian belligerency. There came TO
the Allies reports that the Central en-
pires were taking the pick Of their
force from the Russian front and
concentrating them for a drive against