Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-07-27


have marked the fourth year OF the
war which now comes to close. 1t
has been a twelve mofths of alter
nate hope and concern for the powers
Of the entente alliance.
It was on July IS. 1914, that Austria
declared war on Serbia, beginning the
great struggle. During the past twelve
months there have been occurrences
that in some aspects have been Of
even greater import in their influence
upon the world than those in the pre-
ceding period. Russia's collapse, the
Italian defeat last autumn, the stu
pendous 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 breathe IS. But,
transcending the significance any
event in the actual theaters of the war,
Americas full participation in the
conflict. involving the transportation
overseas OF more than million men
to engage in It must remain for AL
time the great outstanding feature OK
the fourth year Of the struggle. 1t rs
upon America that the entente Is re-
lying for the men and sources to turn
the tide.
A year ago the number OF American
troops going to Europe had not begun
to assume, large proportions. A few
regulars and some National Guards
men had been sent to France but
most Of the big military training
camps were still being huilt and the
men selected as the first contingent to
be called to the colors We're still In
citizens clothes. Until the first day
of August Of 1917 the total number Of
American soldiers taken overseas was
26,967.
Soon after that date the movement
of troops was accelerated Thousands
were despatched across the Atlantic
during the winter months but 1t was
not until tho great German offensive
was started late in March of 1918
that the movement began to assume
really noteworthy proportions The fig
ures for the months from Aug. l, 1911
to July l, 1915, follow:
August, 1929; September. 32,52a;
October. 3S,25s; November, a3,016; De-.
cember. $3.50; January, 46.776; Feb
eruary, 1907; March, ,s3,Sl1: April.
11l2f2: May. 244.345; June, 2T6Ss2.
On Ia,ly !. 1918, there were 1854
american marines in France. bringing
the total number of American troops
in that country and Italy up to
1,019,115,
During the recent fighting. in France
the work OF the American soldiers has
compared favorably with that of 9TH
er fighting men In the world. They
have held sectors here and there along
the front. They are in Alsace and
ncrthward in the Lorraine sector. The
famous st. Mihiel sector Is held by
Americans. who are posted also on
the line along the heights OF the
Meusa East OF Rheims they took
psrt In the fighting during the last
phase OF the German offensive while
in the Chateau rhierry sector they
held their line in a vital region against
the utmost fury Of the Teutonic on
slaught North Of Chateau Thierry,
americans helped to stop the drive Of
the Germans IN the early days Of
June, and IL the Somme sector. at
Cantigny and Grivesnes. they have
given proof Of their soldierly 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 q. The Ger
man drives in France, while separated
by periods OF from a few days to sew
eral weeks nave been considered as
different phases OF the same offensive.
The abortive Austrian attack against
Italy in June also is looked upon as
merely another attack against the
western front and not as distinct
military operation.
But these Offensives perhaps never
would have been begun had 1t not
been for the collapse Of Russia during
the past winter. German and Austrian
troops. released from the Russian
front, were taken to France and Italy
to swell the masses OF men hurled
against, the allies in the western the
alter Of operations. AS long as Russia
remained in the fight she held great
numbers d Teutonic troops in the
exercised fundamental influence on
the course Of Its development
Situation Year Ago.
The year opened with the fortunes
OF war favoring the -entente. The
British had forced back the Ger
mans to the fslnous Hirdenburg 1.-The.
The French had established them
selves firmly along the Chemin des
DANES, north OF the Aisne, The echoes
of Verdun were stin ringing the knell
of German bopes in that sector of the
battle area The Italians were held
ing their lines along the Isonzo. The
rejuvenated Russian regiment OIL
July first had carried the war far
into the Austrian defenses in Buko-
wilma and (4alicia.
Thru August and September, 1917,
there came rumors that Russia was
exhausted by the war and quiet set
tied down along the lines from the
gates of the carpathians to, the Bal
tic Stories were heard of fraterniza-
ton Of German and Russian troops
hut assurances 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
came to the allies reports that the
central empires were taking the pick
OF their force from the Russian front
and concentrating them for drive
against some part Of the line in the,
western theater. Then came intima-
tons that the blow was aimed against
Italy.
The storm broke at Caporetto, on
Oct. 26, and almost Immediately the.
whole Italian Lire Nas thrown into