The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1918-08-02
AMERICAS FORCES
TO END CONFLICT
By CARL ID. GROAT


war, closing its fourth bloody year.
finds America rushing across the seas
with her millions of men, billions Of
dollars and her ever increasing flo
tilas of war vessels-to thrash the
kaiser.
The advent of new year in the
war sees Americas military forces
rapidly approaching the size OF Eng
lang's and destined soon to equal
those OF France.
With an army strength of nearly g.
100000 men today; navy of nearly
half million, and with hundreds Of
ships, tons upon tons of munitions and
a vast food reserve for the allies, this
nations effort has amazed the allied
world and startled the German war
lords.
When she entered the war America
had only 213,00O officers and men, in
Guiding the national guard units
trained on the Texas border. We now
have over half that many officers
alone. Latest official figures show
the army strength to be: officers,
100000; men, 100000 Nearly 1,0O0,-
900 men are in training at home or
have just qualified for overseas duty.
The jump in the size of the navy is
equally startling both in enlistments
and in new ship strength. When We
declared war Is months ago, the
navy's man power was $4,000. 1t is
now well over 475,0O0 and will reach
the half million mark at any time
soon. The United States fleet has
been enlarged by over 1875 ships +,
since April 1917. Nearly 800 smaller
craft are under construction. This is
exclusive of dreadnaughts, battle
cruisers and other major fighting yes
sells.
The new naval appropriations just
granted by congress will swell these
figures tremendously, tho"gh details
cannot be given, for military reasons.
They will make possible one of the
largest fleets afloat, it is indicated.
All Glasses of Ships
European waters are dotted with
American craft, ranging from the
monster dreadnaughts down to the
tiniest submarine chasers. Il
New dreadnaughts are under con.
struction which will be the largest Il
battleships afloat. The largest naval
guns ever mounted ON ships viii equip
these superfighters. .ss..ss.s,.sess e-s.. ass
Navy recruiting is speeding , to man j.
these new ships, UNDER gtipiul!qs !,
from recent submarine raids off The
ATLANTIC. coast recruiting fprrthe navy
is averaging 1000 daily, and has
reached as high as 1000 day 4'NFf
American warships are in practical
ly all European waters-from the Rus.
sion coast to Southern Europe. They
recently arrived at Venice to assist
land operations Of the Italians. The
largest naval force consistent with
safety of our own shores and main
tainance of communications across
the Atlantic Is now on active duty on
the European side. The first destroy
ers sailed for Europe three weeks
after we declared war; and they have
speeded across in increasing numbers
as the war went on.
The Army Over There
Army operations in France have
swept ahead of all calculations. We
are months ahead of our program and
the climax has yet to be reached
The magnitude of this task appears
greater when it is remembered that
The American army had to build its
own railways, construct its own docks
and loading facilities, build 4. own
on French soil, and, in ef-
'ect, almost establish a new battle
'front.'. American officers give the
French and English full credit for
he material assistance rendered and
he valuable expert advice offered, but
he job remaining for Americas ex-
Deditionary army was a staggering
me.
Nine regiments of railway engin.
,ers have been at work in France
ince last August-an army of nearly
10000 men welding the pick and the
hovel.
Carpenters hammered on large
to keep American SUP
lies from the weather. Road builders
'ayed paths for the fleets of motor
rucks which have been among the
most valuable adjuncts to the expedi-
lonary army.
Workers at Home
supporting this vast undertaking
broad are millions of skilled work
len at home turning out munitions.
lothing, equipment and everything
eeded by the fighting soldier. Rifles
efficient to equip an entire division