Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 July 1918 — GENERAL AND STATE NEWS [ARTICLE]

GENERAL AND STATE NEWS

Telegraphic Reports From Muy Parts of the Country. SHORT BITS OF THE UNUSUAL ■ I Happenings tn the Nearby Cities and Towns —Matters of Minor Mention From Many Places. A MILLION SOLDIERS IN FRANCE According to' Statement Made by Secretary of War Baker. Washington, D. C-, July 2. Here is President Wilson’s statement that more than 1,000,000 United States soldiers are now in France — probably the most thrilling piece of news for Americans that'has been announced since the first big Yankee Fourth of July story in 1776: “I have today received the following letter from the secretary of war, which seems to me to contain information which will be so satisfactory to the country that its publication will be welcomed and will give additional zest to our national celebration of the Fourth of July: “'War Department, Washington, July 1, 1918. “ ‘My Dear Mr. President: “ ‘More than one million American soldiers have sailed from the ports in this country to participate in the war in France. In reporting this fact so you I feel that you will be interested in a few data showing the progress of our overseas military effort.

“ ‘The first ship carrying military personnel sailed May 8, 1917, having on board base hospital No. 4 and members of the reserve nurses’ corps. “ ‘Gen. Pershing and his staff sailed on May 29, 1917. The embarkations in the months from May, 1917, to and including June, 1918, are as follows: 1917; May 1,718 June* 12,261 July ...12,988 August 18,323 September 32,523 October ... 38,259 November 23,016 December 48,840 1918. January February 48,027 March 83,811 April 1 117,212 May 244,345 June 276,372 Marines 14,644 “Aggregating 1,019,115. “The total number of troops returned from abroad, lost as sea and casualty, is 8,165, and of those, by reason of the superbly efficient protection which the navy has given our transport system, only 291 have been lost at sea. “ ‘The supplies apd equipment in France for all troops sent is, by our latest reports, adequate, and the output of our war industries -in this country is showing marked improvement in practically all lines of necessary equipment and supply. “ ‘Respectfully yours, “ ‘NEWTON D. BAKER.’ “To which I replied: “ ‘The White House, “ ‘Washington, July 2, 1918. “ ‘My Dear Mr. Secretary—Your letter of July 1 contains a very significant piece of news and an equally significant report of the forwarding of troops during the past year to the other side of the water. It is a record which I think must cause universal satisfaction, because the heart of the country is unquestionably in this war and the people of. the United States rejoice to see their force put faster and faster into the great struggle which is destined to redeem the world. “ ‘Cordially and sincerely yours, “‘WOODROW WILSON.’”