Putnam patriot., 1921-12-16
History Stories of Connecticut

promptly mustered into the United
States service a regiment Of infantry
under the command Of Colonel
Charles l. Burdette Of Hartford and
a Naval battalion under the command
Of Lieutenant Commander Arthur II.
Day Of New Haven.
These soldiers and sailors offered
their services and their lives to their
country They suffered the hardships
and priyations Of camp life during the
brief war that followed but only q
part of the regiments that were called
10 take up arms were needed at the
fighting front and Conneeticutis first
regiment was eagerly looking for an
opportunity TO meet the foe upon the
field Of battle when the war ended
with victory for America and the
cause Of freedom. But Connecticut
had done her duty.
The year 1917 again found the
heroic sons and daughters Of Connec-
tieut ready 20 defend the rights and
liberties for which our fathers fought.
In August 1914, Germany and her
allies had started out to conquer and
to rule the rest of the civilized world.
They aimed their first blow at Paris,
the heart of France, and crushed
little, Belgium for no reason except
being in the way and refusing TO stand
aside and allow the German armies
to cross her territory in order TO rob
and murder her friends. the French.
Nation after nation was drawn into
the terrible struggle. Soon il was a
world war Germany and her allies
fought to destroy liberty and establish
the power of despotic kings and emp-1
errors. France and her allies fought to
preserve liberty and make the whole
world safe for those who wish TO
frame THEN own laws and control
their own government, their own bus
mess. and their own lives. At first
the United States hesitated to enter
the struggle hoping that some other
way would be found TO secure the
triumph of right and justice, but
Germany sank our ships and murder
ed our citizens upon tina ocean; she
sent spies 20 the United States to blow
up our factories because we manufac-
tured goods for her enemies; she tried
to get US into trouble with Mexico,
Japan and England On February 3,
1877. the United States broke off dip
lomatic relations with Germany and
sent the German Ambassador on his
way home. Germany became more in
solent. refused TO recognize the
common laws Of humanity. and defied
America and the world. When We
could stand it no longer the United
States entered the war on April 9th,
1917.
What had Connecticut been doing?
Two days after the United States
broke off diplomatic relations with
Germany Governor Marcus H. Hol-
comb telegraphed President Wilson,
You may rely upon the loyal support
OF Connecticut" The next day Conn
eetieut began making plans to take .
census of the state in order
10 learn what were its resources in
men and materials so that everything
might be IN readiness in case fighting
should be necessary The following
day the governor named the commit
tee who vas 20 have charge Of the
census. tn two weeks the committee
lad organized its work in all of the
los towns Of the state and ; 900 cen
sas agents had been appointed. Gov
erneH Hele9mb was the first man in
the state 10 sign census blank.
Before wa VAS declared the census Of
the whole state was completed and
half "a million persons had been en-
rolled No other state acted SO
promptly and the government al Wa
shiurton commended Connecticut for
rs efficiency
Also before war was declared the
tate had taken action providing for
the organization. maintenance. mma-
meat. aisI equipment Of Il body of
armed troops for constabulary duties
Within the tate to be known as the
Home CuafH and To be- called into ser
wee by tae governor whenever need
ea ln.aaation, the General Assem-
blx had passed law which will prob
ahiy become famous in history as the
NEST far-ge8ehing in its effects and i'm
the powers that it conferred upon the
governor Il any law ever passed in
Connecticut This law found in Chap
teri of ihe Public Acts Of 1917 says
e The governor is directed 20 render
To the government Of the United
State IA the present crisis any assis-
lance within the power OF state and he
Is authorized either to that end or Tor
the purpose Of providing for the pub
lie safety 10 organize and employ any
ANA all resources within the state
Of men, properties. or Instrumental
lilies and Is exercise any and all power
convenient or necessary in his judg
ment
II shall be- the duty Of every pub
ie official p the state 10 furnish 20
the governor such information and
assistance - he may require III the
execution II this act.
The comptroller is directed 20
draw his order on the treasurer for
such sums as the board Of control may
FIND uecessar, is carry ont the pfoyis-