The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-07-27

Events DIE with the rate or naIlonS have marked the. fourth year of the war which now comes to a close. It has been a twelve months of alter nate hope and concern for the Pow CTS of the Entente Alliance.
 It was on July 28, 1914, that, Aus tria declared war on Serbia, beginning the great struggle. During the past twelve months there have been occurs rences that in some aspects have been of even greater import in their influ- ence upon the world than those in the preceding period. Russia's collapse, the Italian defeat last Autumn, the stupendous 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 breathless. But, transcending the significance any event in the actual theatres of the war, Americas full participation in the conflict, involving the transportation overseas of more than a million men to engage in 1t must remain for all time the great outstanding feature of the fourth year of the struggle. It is upon America that the Entente Is relying for the men and resources 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 built and the men selected as the first contingent | to be called to the colors were still in citizens clothes. Until the first day of August of 1917 the total number of American soldiers taken overeas was | 26,967.
 Soon after that date the movement of troops was accelerated. Thousands were despatched across the Atlantic during the winter months, but it was not until the great German offensive was started late in March of 1918 that the movement began to assume really noteworthy proportions. The figures for the months from Aug. 1, 1917 tc July 1, 1918, follow:
 August, 18,323;, September, 32,523i October, 38,259; November, 23,016i December, 4S,S4o; January, 46,776 February, 4S,O27; March, 'S3,S11 April. 117,212; May, 244,345; June 276.382.
 On July 1, 1918, there were 14,64+ 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 ir France the work of the American sol diers has compared favorably witt that of other fighting men in the world. They have held sectors here and there along the front. They are in Alsace and northward in the LOT raine sector. The famous St. Mihie sector Is held by Americans, who are posted also. on the line along the heights of the Mouse. East of Rheims they took part in the fighting during the last phase of the German offen- sive, while in the Chateau-Thierry sector they held their line in a vita region against the utmost fusy of the | Teutonic onslaught. North of Cha. teau Thierry, Americans helped tc stop the drive of the Germans in the early days of June; and in the Sommt sector, at Cantigny and Grivesnes the! have given proof of their soldier! qualities.
 The Allies have been called upon tC face two great offensives during th' past year. The first of these cam' last October in Italy and the second | in Fra haoan March 21 Tht German drives in France, while sepa rated by periods of from a few day to several weeks, have been consid cred as diffefent phases of the sam offensive. The abortive Austrian at tack against Italy in June also i looked upon as merely another attacl against the western front and not a a distinct military operation. :, But these offensives perhaps neve would have been begun had it no been for the collapse of Russia dur ing the winter. German and Austria, troops, released from the Russian front, were taken to France and Ital to swell the masses of men hurle against the Allies in the Wester theatre of operations. As long a
 
 great numbers of Teutonic troops i The East, and her withdrawal fror the war exercised fundamental il, fiuence on the course of, it's develop . ment
 Situation Year Ago.
 The year opened with the fortune of war apparently favoring the En tente. The British had forced bac the Germans to the famous Hinden \ burg line. The French had establish ed themselves firmly along the Chem in des Danes, north of the Aisne. Tn echoes of Verdun were still ringin the knell of German hopes in tha sector of the battle area. The Italian sum equal to a stated part of l | f