Cleveland County herald., 1920-11-18
News of Inc World
AMERICA HAS PAID HALF HER
 BIG WAR DEBT.

dSHIlSCOn, NOV. 1l.-On the second anniversary of the signing if the srmistice that ended the world war, Americas two foremost leaders in that conflict are making ready to step back into private life.
 Just two years ago today Presi- dent Wilson, standing in the House of Representatives, read to an as semblage of congressman. cabinet officials and diplomats the terms of . the document the Germans had been forced to sign. Today, the president "a white haired invalid-a casualty of the. great war he helped end, his friends say-is making ready to leave the White House for some quiet home where he probably will write history of the great events in which he stood as leading figure. B Gen. John J. Pershing, head of the American Expeditionary Force, soon will put aside the khaki. The first full general since Grant, has finish ed reports His work in connection with the army reorganization act is practically over. The general ex- poets soon to take trip to South America as an official representa- tive of this country. Beyond that his plans are not known.
 Along with President Wilson, there r% INor who helped carry the burdens of America's war effort. Seiretary of War Baker and Secretary of the Navy Dauiels are two of these. Sec retary of Labor Wilson, wFho helped keep the country free from labor troubles during the days of conflict; Postmaster General Burleson, who managed the te,egrapha and tele- phone lines and Secretary Houston, now in the treasury and formerly at the head of the Agriculture Depart ment, will also leave the cabinet.
 But if the war leaders are passing, America still has before her suffi- cient reminder of the days when the German hordes were turned slowly back.
 Throughout the country on next Sunday memorial services will be held for more than 100000 Ameri- can soldiers who were killed or died of 465 is the exact number, according to the govern ment statistics. President Wilson has officially proclaimed next Sun day as the day for memorial sersices. Nineteen thousand five hundred men cripped and disabled, many of them crippled for life, are still in government hospitals undergoing treatment, according to figures of the War Risk insurance bureau. Some American troops are still in Europe They constitute the army of occupation, 15,000 strong at Co., blenz, Germany, where the Ameri- can forces were assigned under l terms of the armistice. ; And according to all reports, these soldiers are living vastly different life from those who tramped through the mud and lived in dugouts. Be- cause of the decline of German money, the American soldiers with I their $50 a month are in the milion- aire class. Germany not being dry, large glass of beer can be ohtai ,ed there for one ent n American
 '. ney. Otha2 prices are in pr or tio;,.
 Nearly half of the cost Of taH war to America +; actual dollars nA Ilen paid, Ae, ,r iing to Trea u's Department figure. hes, howe sc' $. txclusive # the Sl0.00U,00D 900 loaned to the allies.
 : ..,.usive Of t;,at S10.a0j.Jir et0 m er SecI et n, f he Treasury t,a>s estim &tei tue war Cost this country $26, 190,000,000. Of this $11, ,18O, 100000 was paid in taxes during the course of the war and afterward Two and half billion more has been paid since the armis- tice-a total of $13,680, 1000 paid.
 Under present plans of retiring the debt it will take about twenty five years to retire the remainder