Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-07-04
Fourth of July Sees Nation Reborn

~ Ne million American soldiers in France!
/ ~ Not since that immortal document be-
came the foundation stone OF American
! liberty and Il beacon light for all the world s
! other peoples who struggle against unjust
| oppression has the United States had occa-
/ sion for such a Fourth OF July celebration as
that upon which it enters this morning
One million American soldiers in France,
Those simple words fraught with world
destiny. will furnish the keynote for the
varied patriotic ceremonies with which the
birthday OF independence will be observed
From the Atlantic to the Pacific and from
border to border the announcement will be
heralded. not so much for what the United
states has done in the war against auto
cratic aggression but as evidence of what il
has proved itself capable OF doing in the
future. Germany sneered at the idea OF the
Ohlteo states making its power felt in
Europe; 1t secuted its ability to send its
fighting forces through submarine infested
waters, and. in ignorance OF the Young giant
1t had aroused from slumber. luled itself in
the belief that it had nothing to fear from,
TINS hemisphere. Military men told President
wilson that he could not hope to place more
than 100000 trained soldiers in France dur
ing the first year OF war Even they mis-
gagged the temper OF their own country and
their own President, and to-day not 100000
but five times that number are standing on
the battle front with their allies and already
nave won imperishable glory. Thousands
moro are on the way Drawing the deep sea
perils thousands more are in camp. and
other thousands are ready to take their places
when the time comes. November / will see
4 minimum OF 100000 troops in France
PROBABLY the number will be nearer 1900 600
and January l, 1919. will find 100000
American soldiers in uniform and ready 70
"phoid the honor OF the Stars and Stripes
ana the world freedom for which It has be-
come the symbol. To-day 100 merchant yos
sells Will be launched to help transport these
soldiers to battle And Germany said the
United States would not fight. Surely an
s"ef Sufficiently clear TO be convincing has
oeeh made TO that truCulent defiance
one million American soldiers in France,
america to-day has more reason TO cele-
pirate the Fourth than ever before But what
vast difference in this celebration Here
'"iorc an isolated nation, SNUG in its com
piacency and presumably safe in it's distance
from European ills gave itself over on this
day TO the burning OF red fire the waste OF
Eunnowder and screaming oratory in an an
nuaI effort TO convince itself OF its own
greatness. To-day IL is n nation full grown
10 'So!atiph Is gone forever, and ii is doing
q nations fun share for mankind Gone is
IT'S a!ootneGs from the affairs of other nations
~ Whatever part OF the world they may be
N!aceh Gone is the accusation that il Is a
selfish nation occupied solely with it's own
6Hs!neaB OF getting rich To-Day il has be-
come IN fact and by deed q leading member
D! nc world family II ia pouring ont its
':eaAtFe ana It's blood foreign zelda not
.'F conquest or incrconnry gain. but 10 keep
'"oi' ana us sister nations free Old con
l'i'ha never cnA return Wien this con
.I.l VS. ended tho United Stntoa VIII have
-.N'N ~ HEh'fnl place in tho comfy Of MA