The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-27

Events big with the fate Of ma
lions have marked the fourth year of
the war which now comes 10 close
It has been twelve months of alter
nate hope and concern for the powers
of the Entente alliance.
1t was on July %, 1914 that Austria
declared war on Serbia, beginning the
great struggle. During the past
twelve months there have been, occur
rences that in some aspects have been
of even greater import in their in
fluence upon the world than those in
the preceding period. Russia's col
lapse, the Italian defeat last autumn,
the stupendous drives 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 any event in the actual
theaters of the war, Americas full
participation in the conflict, involv-
ing the transportation overseas of
more than a million men to engage
in 1t must remain for all time the
great outstanding feature of the fourth
year of the struggle. 1t is upon Amer
lea that the Entente IS relying for the
men and resources to turn the tide.
year ago the number of Amer
lean 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 of 1917 the total number
was 26.s67.'
March Offensive Woke Up q. S.
Soon after he
OF troops was accelerated Thousands
were despatched across the Atlantic.
during the winter months, but it was
not until the great German offensive
was started late in March of 1918 that
the movement began to assume really.
noteworthy proportions. The figures
for the months from August /, 1917 to
July l. 1913. foIoW:
August, .323; September. 32.523;
October. $3.50; November, 230I6:
December, 4s.S4O: January, 4s,776;
February, 4s.e27; March s3'sif:
April; l11212; May 244.s45; June.
on July I. 1918. there were 1854
American marines in France, bring
ing the total number of American
troops in that cosntry and Italy up to
1,o19.I15.
During the recent fighting in
France the WORK of the American SOL
dters has compared fayorabIy with
that Of other fighting men in the
world. Tn ~ have held sectors here
and there along the front They are
In Alsace and northward in the Lor-
raine sector. The famous St. MihksI
sector IS held by Americans, wlfo are
posted also on the line along the
heights OF the Meuse. East of Rheims
they took part in the fighting during
the last phase of the German offensive
Whiie IN the Chateau-Thierry sector
they held their line. in a vital region
he uVfr
tonic onslaught North of Chateau
Thierry, Americans helped to stop the
drive of the Germans in the early DAYS
OF June; nd in the Somme sector, at
Canusny and Grivesnes they have
given proof of their soldierfy Qualities
The allies have been called upon to
face two great offensives during the
past year. The first of these came
last October in Italy and the second
IN France. began on March 81. The
German drives in France. while sepa-
rated by periods of from a few day.
to several weeks, have been consid-
cred as different phases of the same
offensive. The abortive Austrian at
tack against Italy in June is looked
upon as merely another attack against
the western front and not asa distinct
military operation.
Russian Collapse Brought Hun Drive.
But these offensives perhaps never
would have been begun had Il not
been for the collapse of Russia during
the past winter. German and Aus
TRAN troops. released from the Rus
sian 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 her withdrawal from the
war exercised a fundamental influence
on the course of its development
Situation Year Ago.
The year opened with the fortunes
of war apparently favoring the en-
tente. The British had forced back
the Germans to the famous linden
burg line The French had establish
ed themselves firmly along the
Chemin des Danes, north of the Aisne
The echoes OF Verdun were still ring
ing the knell OF German hopes in that
sector 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 Bukowfna and Galicia.
Thru August and September, 1917,
theR came rumors that Russia was
exhausted by the war. and quiet set
tied down along the lines from the
Stories were heard of determination
OF German and Russian troops. but
assurance came from Petrograd that
Russia would stand true to her allies
Fall Offensive in Italy.
The German and Austrian high
commands had no illusions as to fur
Their Russian belligerency. There
came to the allies reports that the
central empires were taking the pick
of their forces from the Russian front
and concentrating them for a drivs
against some part a the line in the
western theater. Then came intima-
lions that the blow was aimed against
Italy.
The storm broke at Caporetto or
4 October 90 and almost Immediately
zhe whole Italian line was thrown
into disorder. Pouring thru the
passes. where in some instances dis.
affected italian troops held positions
the Germans and Austrians made
progress which from the first va:
alarming BY wise generalship. the