Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-04-06
One Year OF War

ONE year ago to-day the United States en-
~ tered the great war as champion Of
the rights Of humanity. and Immediately the
machinery OF government was set in motion
10 mobilize every EFFORT and every resource
Of peaceful nation to the task OF winning
it. -Four days prior President Wilson had
appeared before Congress and asked that
body to pass a resolution recognizing the
existence of Il state OF war, w~gcd by the
imperial German government against the
government and people of the United States.
The American people responded to the call
OF duty with enthusiasm, and from that hour
the pro OF changing the peaceful pursuits
Of industry FROM their normal activities 10
the stcrncr task of speeding UP every part
OF tho great and compile; ted industrial ma
chinery To the production of war power
been carried with increasing momentum,
until the yea has witnessed mere than any
nation i'll all history ever achieved in SO
short a space OF time. To-day is presented
the spectacle OF nation of 100, 100000 peo-
pie working like 4 hive Of bees. with their
chief energy conferred upon the one purpose
of destroying the greatest menace civilization
has ever faced and making The world afe
for democracy in the future.
Some OF The achievements OF the past
twelve months may be briefly enumerated:
The actual strength OF the United States
Army has been increased from 1924 officers
and 202.510 enlisted men to 23,S01 officers
and l,52S,924 enlisted men; the navy from
4.T92 officers and 77,94G enlisted men to
p 600 officers and 100000 enliste ed men;
under the selectire service law 100000
mon within the military age presented them
selves before boards created for that pur-
pose and registered under the call; estimated
expense of the government in the first year
Of the war. without loans to the allies is
S12.067.27S, air personnel Increased
from siXty-ivc officers and 1920 men TO
one hundred times that number. eleven
kinds of schools having been installed; near
ly $4,000 mechanics and other civilian en-
ployeeS working at navy-yards and sta
tons; army medical training schools have
been crea ted with capacity Of $1,000 officers
and men, 5000 enlisted men and 5000 Of
fcers already trained and graduated; prompt
repairs of 100 interncd German Ships par
italy wrecked by their crews, added more
than 100000 tons TO our available naval
and merchant tonnage: the Emergency Fleet
Corporation had reQuisitioned March | 425
s'eel vessels ana contracted for 720 stee;
vessels. milking total of HAS steel ships
OF an aggregate lightweight tonnage of
S,164.50S tons: ii had let contracts for 400
wooden vessels agSrcgating approximately
i'l3,oe0 dead weight tons; thirty-two army
training camps and cantonments with a
capacity OF caring for more than 900 600
soldiers, have been constructed; hundreds of
the lted Cross, and various other organiza
lions Tor the purpose Of war relief work and
providing for the welfare and entertainment,
OF the soldiers; the Treasury Department has
hoated Gl6.552,30O subscriptions to Lib
erty bonds, and loaned to foreign govern
mchts associated in the war TO March 10
9f'15b,i29,'o0 the government now oper-
a'es 10000 miles OF railway employing
i'ooo,60o mon and representing investment
"f Sl',5o0000 900; the war risk insurance
bureau has issued to March - policies for
total of Sl2,465.l16.500 10 the armed
forces OF our country; the government paid
IN February ailo,mcnts and allowances 10
soldiers and sailors dependents amounting
10 Sl?9'C'i3 and this amount is steadily
increasing each month
Inc items enumerated represent only
part OF what has been accomplished within
the year. and the work OF mobilizing our re-
sources OF strength TO throw into the CON
met is just getting under good headway
inc coming year will witness manifold
greater achievement. Coincident with tbe
anniversary of our entrance into the war. is
launched the third Liberty loan this timo
Tor $4,000, 100000. The willingness and
Capacity OF the people to absorb il quickly is
not doubted. Their patriotism will no,
falter in the face OF the governments needs
Supreme Command in France