St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1918-08-17
Four Years of War

0ab OCEh d WE'VE hOhtAs VI oiSCAANI'
hope and concern for the powers o
tic Entente Alliance.
{ vas on July %, 1914, that Aus
trta declared war on Serbia, begin
ming the great struggle. During thu
past twelve months there have beer
6eaccrences that in some aspects have
been of even greater import in theil
influence upon the world than those
in the preceding period. Russia's
collapse. the Italian defeat last an
tU1nn. the stupenduous drives of the
Germans against the Allied armies
aud the wonderful defensive opera
tons that have again and again
checked the enemy when C fol
bin seemed neal at hand have held
the world breathless. But, trans
.eending the Significance any event in
the actual theatres of the war, Amer
ica's full participation in the conflict
involving the transportation overseas
OF more than a million men to en-
gage in it must remain for all time
the greatest outstanding feature OIL
the fourth year of the struggle. It is
upon America that the Entente is
relying for the men and u to
turn the tide.
4 year ago the number OF American
troops going to Europe had not be-
gun 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
10 be called to the colors were still
la citizens clothes. Until the first
day Of August, 1917, the total number
M American soldiers taken overseas
was 26.967.
Soon after that date the movement
bf troops was accelerated. Thous-
ands were dispatched across the At
lantic, during the winter months, but
Il vas not until the great German Of
fensiye was started late in March Of
1918, that the movement began to as
sumo really noteworthy proportions.
The figures for the months from Aug
uat1. 1917, to July /, 1918, follow:
August, 1928: September, 3d.
623: October, $3.50; November,
23.016: December, $3.50; January,
4s.776: February. 1927; March,
1881; April, 117.212; May, 224,-
sl5; June. 276,3S2.
On July I. 1918, there were A.
ga American marines in France,
bringing the total number Of Ameri-
can troops In that country and Italy
UP to f.O19.115.
During the recent fighting in
France the work OF the American sol
diers has compared favorably with
that OF the other fighting MEN in the
world. They have held sectors here
and there along the front. They are
In Aisace and northward In the Lor-
Taine sector. The famous st. Mihfel
sector Is held by Americans, who 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 often
sfye, while in the Chateau hierry
they held their line in a vital
against the utmost fury Of the
onslaught. North OF Cha
Americans helped to
the drive OF the Germans in the
early days OF June, and in the Somme
at Cantigny and Grivesnes.
hey have given proof of their sol
Iierly qualities.
The Allies have been called upon
face two great offensiyes during
he past year. The first Of these
.ame last October In Italy and then
d France, began on March 81. The
drives in France, while sep
rated by periods of from a few days
b several weeks, have been consid- I
red as different phases of the same
ffeRsive. The abortive Austrian at ]
ack against Italy in June also is y
,oked upon as merely another attack I
the western front and not as l
distinct military operation. ]
But these offensives perhaps never ]
Guild have been begun had 1t not /
cen for the collapse Of Russia during Il
le past winter. German and Aus t
ian troops. released from the Rus +
an front, were taken to France and t
ally b. swell the masses of men
against the Allies in the west p
IN theatre OF operations. As long s
] Russia remained In the fight she r
ald great numbers of Teutonic troops a
the east, and her withdrawal from Q
te war exercised a fundamental In a
aence on the course of It's develop tt
emit.
Situation a Year Ago
The year opened with the fortunes /!
war apparently favoring the En- e,
nte. The British had forced back is
e Germans to the famous Hinden, m
Irg line. The French had establish 10
themselves firmly along the Chem d.
deslDames. north of the Aisne. %
echoes of Verdun were still ring ri
{ the knell of German hopes in that @,