Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-11-26
AMERICAN WAR STRENGTH
Men and Munitions in Great Abund-
ance.

ance.
The extent OF Americas military
effort in France al the time the armis-
tice was declared is shown by statis-
tics which the Associated Press now
Is permitted TO make public. While
the stupendous figures are In them
selves amazing they show only a part
.! the great effort made in war prcpar-
ations.
On the morning Of Nov. II, the Unit
cd States had in France 1881 officers
and l.ssl.376 men, a total of almost
100, 900. AS has already been an
nounccd there were 100000 combat
troops in the Argonne forest. This
number does not incline the American
units engaged on other parts OF the
front
Manpowcr. alone. however, was only
one factor in the preparations Tor
American participation in the war. Be-
hind it lay vast machinery which was
required in operations. Railways and
across the sea were brought locomo-
tives. cars, rails and motor transport
OF every kind Behind this again was
the REQUISITE food. clothing and gcncr-
al supplies for the men as well as
,iockagc and warehouse construction.
The American has brought over 10
France and has in operation 961 stand
ard gauge locomotives and 1919
standard gauge freight cars OF Amer
lean manufacture. In addition II mas
in service $50 locomotives and S73 cars
of foreign origin. Eight hundred and
forty three miles OF standard gauge
railway were constructed. 500 miles ot
II since June l. In addition there was
built lis miles OF light railways. and
40 miles of German light railways
were repaired and put in operation.
Two hundred and twenty-five miles of
French railway were operated by the
Americans.
$1,000 Motor Vehicles.
These figures represent fairly
good sized American railway company
but railways represent only fraction
of the transport effort. Modern war
fare Is motor warfare and 1t Is VIZ
tually impossible TO present in tgurcs
this phase OF the work Of the Amerl-
can army. In building new roads. in
keeping French roads repaired. and In
constructing bridges, American engi-
necrs worked day and night. To do
this the American cXpeditionary FORCES
had in operation on November ii more
than $4,000 motor vehicles.
Munitions, Arms, Food.
Even at the present stage OF the
arrnistice, which may prccede peace. II
Is not permissible to hint at the vast
stores of munitions and armament
brought over and held in readiness.
The Associated Press. however, is al
lowed to give approximate figures
showing what has been accomplished
of food supplies.
In army terms one ration represents
the quantity Of each article each man
is entitled daily. II is interesting 70
note the supply of some of the princi-
pal ration components on hand today.
For instance the Americans have 39o.-
900 900 rations of beans alone; lS3,-
600 900 rations of -four and flour sub
stitutes; 267.000.000 rations OF milk;
81 900, 900 rations of butter substitu-
tes; l43, 900, 900 rations of sugar; Ss,-
900 900 rations OF meat: 57,000.OOO ra-
tions of coffee, and ll3,0O0.000 rations
of rice. hominy and other foods. There
are requisites such as fiavorings. fruits
candy and potatoes in proportion
while for smokers there are 76l.000.OOO
rations of cigarettes and tobacco In
other forms.
Army authorities point out that
these vast necessary supplies for the
army represent food economics on the
part Of the people at home. Without
such economies the work would have
been virtually impossible. nor would
the Americans have been able TO prom
ise certain of the Allies great assis-
tance in meeting their requirements
during the winter. The Associated
Press is informed that the American
army had engaged to give the French
two million pounds Of meat. 5.5oO'OOo
pounds of beans and rice flour and
milk in proportion. To the British s.
OOO. 900 pounds of meat were promis-
ed, while the Belgians were assured
they would receive 100000 pounds of
rations of all kinds.
Great Work of Construction.
1t is difficult to describe in exact fig
urcs what the American expedittonary
forces have done in the construction
and Improvement of dockaSe and
warehouses since the first troops land
ed. Ten steamer berths have been
built at Bordeau. having n length OF