Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-07-09

TWO YEARS AGO.

iHU IEAhS A6U.
The grand offensive of the Aus
triars in Italy begun on June 16
with 100000 men, had been check
ed ot the Piave river, and the
counter-offensive of the Italians
had started with smashing sue
cesSes. On the night of June %
the Austrians began their retreat
from the Piave, leaving the swollen
river almost choked in places with
the bodies Of their dead. The Ital-
ians were in full pursuit and the
world was ringing with their vict-
ory. They had taken $4,000 pris-
oners and much booty.
On the Western front the fourth
German offensive of 1913, culmi-
mating in the assault on Rheims
had broken down on June 10Th
and save for the artillery fire which
never Sceased night or day on that
far-flung line in France, there was
luil in the operations on both
SIDES. But the Huns in heavy forces
still clung to the Marine river. On
May 9th their third colossal drive
OF the year had begun. They drove
back the lightly manned French
lines. They swept over the famous
Chemin des Danes ridge. They
crossed the Aisnc. They crossed
the Vcsle. Their long distance gas
guns dcluged the region back of the
Frcnth fighting line with poison
GUS gas. While Rheims on their
left vas still unshaken, their right
had envelOped and taken Soissons.
| Their center swept southwark 35
miles TO the Marine. The German
spear-hcad had been blunted by
the Americans at Chateau -Thierry
where our Marines won impcrish-
able glory. But the enemy advanc-
lines still held. Farther west they
had attacked in great force on a
2O-m'ie front between Noyons and
Montdidier. Noyons had fallen.
Amlcns and Compeignc were
threatened. Paris was hardly more
than 80 miles away. Some of the
war-worn allies We're saying. at
is all over" But though the land
of France was deluged with blood,
they were grimly holding on.
And now the great armies, the
mightiest ever assembled since the
| dawn of history. were getting their
breath, 10 renew the appalling
struggle.
On June 18th 100000 American
troops had crossed the Atlantic to
win the war to prevent war
100000 of "our boys" were in
France. And Gen< March said the
number would be increased to more
than {: million early ip July. With
mighty hand and a stretched out
arm the>~U. S. Government was
building ships TO make good the
rava2es of the Hun submarines
The shipping tonnage constructed
in II months exceeded a million
tons. The American Government
amazed the world not only for the
magnitude Of its achievements but
for its speed and efficiency. The
vigilance of the American Navy
and its faithful and successful
guard of the troop ships and food
ship, never relaxed. Fathers and
mothers of American soldiers thank
ed God for the Navy. No such ex-
peditionary force ever crossed the
waters in all the tide of time-and
two short yars ago barely half had
landed on the other side Of the
| Atlantic.
AT home the War Saving Stamps
drive had eliminated on June 2S
Good men and women were thrill
ing with patriotism and the spirit
of service, and praying and doing
for our soldier sons.
On June 9th came the drawing
OF rcgisrantS who had reached the
age of II years since the 1917 reg
| iStratiOn.
| TIC British casualties in the
month of June as far as reported
totaiicd 14i.147 men. And into
this hell on earth was marching
the young sons Of America.
As we revive the memories of
two years ago, do we feel that war
is Il light thing? In candor, should
we reject the league % other ma
tons have formed 10 prevent war?