CHAPTER VI

WHAT THE UNITED STATES IS DOING IN THE WAR

When a military nation of the type of Germany goes into war the entrance is but a step forward out of the preparations which it has been making for years; but when a peace-loving, peace-observing nation of the type of the United States goes into war the entrance is a revolution in the thoughts, habits, and intentions of the people.

The declaration by Congress of the existence of a state of war with Germany found the United States with the greatest resources of any nation in the world but without the sort of military machinery necessary for prosecution of the conflict. The readjustment of the nation from ordinary occupations into war-making occupations has been a gigantic task, and one that has been accomplished only through the intelligent patriotism of the citizens of the nation, co-operating with the government.

The first concern of the nation was the increase of our army and navy to a size commensurate to the part we were about to take in the conflict. Neither the army nor the navy came near to the strength which the nation knew to be imperative for the winning of the war. For, although the exact part which the United States would take in the struggle was to be determined later by conferences with the war councils of the other nations fighting Germany, it was certain that we would require a vast army and an adequate navy.

Congress having voted that the United States should undertake extensive military preparation, the duty of providing that preparation fell upon the executive branch of our government. It was provided that the army of the United States should consist of the Regular Army, the National Guard, and the National Army. The law provides that, when these armies are assembled, there shall be no difference between the Regular Army, the National Guard, and the National Army. Every man in the army, no matter in what service, is equal in dignity, in responsibility, and in opportunity to every other man of the same rank in the army.

The first year of the conflict has been largely occupied with the assembling of these armies, and in the despatch of those trained for battle duty to France. To insure this despatch in safety the navy has been greatly increased in size and efficiency, although it stands to the honor of America that her navy proved itself instantly worthy of her trust.

With the beginning of the war there was a rush of men to enlist in the Regular Army and in the National Guard, which was to be part of the army of the United States. The government, however, decided upon a method of service, known as selective service and sometimes called “the draft,” which would be more democratic and fair than the enlistment method, and which would supplement the other methods.

The selective-service law, passed by Congress on the 18th of May, 1917, established a class of men between the ages of twenty-one and thirty-one from which the President may draft soldiers. All men between those ages were enrolled on the 5th of June, 1917. The administration of the draft is in the hands of the War Department under the supervision of the President. Every voting district has a local draft board, and every congressional district a board of appeal, which decides contested cases. All men between the ages given are subject to service, unless they are exempted for reasons allowed by law. No exemptions can be bought. No substitutions can be made. The richest man in the country of draft age is as subject to service as the poorest man. Exemptions are permitted those men who are supporting dependants who cannot support themselves, those men who are working in occupations necessary for the winning of the war, such as ship-building and the making of munitions of war, and those men who are physically unfit for war service.

In the registration 9,659,382 men enrolled. By a drawing system conducted publicly in the Capitol of the United States at Washington the order by which these men were to go in the army was determined by lot. The President issued instructions to the exemption boards on the 2d of July, and the first National Army of 687,000 men was called to service on the 5th of September, 1917.

Following this call every man in the rest of the nearly 10,000,000 men received a document, known as a questionnaire, which gave a number of questions to be answered, and which he filled out. According to his answers the local board determined to what class he belongs. There are five groups of selective service, ranged according to a man’s obligations and his occupation. Single men without dependent relatives head the first class. Licensed pilots, who are so necessary to navigation as to be almost indispensable, end the last class. No fairer system of military service was ever devised.

For the training of this army arrangements had to be made. The government set about the building of camps, called cantonments, for the use of the National Guard and the National Army while their various units were being prepared for service abroad. Most of these camps are in the South so that the men may have less hardship during the winter season. Some of the camps were completed in September, 1917. The construction of every camp was a great engineering achievement. Camp Meade is the second largest city of Maryland, and every camp is in itself a great community. There are thirty-three of these camps, or cantonments, extending from Atlantic to Pacific and from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian border in their locations. Here the men are trained into service, and cared for in various ways while they are being trained.

Training-camps for officers were also established where men were taught the science of warfare and the leading of other men. In addition to the army, training-camps for the United States marines, who are in the naval service, were established. Special branches of service, such as aviation, had special camps.

[Illustration: Recruits of the National Army waiting at the booths of a National Army cantonment]

On the fourth day of July, 1917, the news came to the United States that the first division of the American Expeditionary Forces, under the command of General John Pershing, had landed in France. American troops began intensive training with French and British soldiers, and when they were judged ready, took their places on the battle-lines. Day after day the casualty lists have recorded the deaths and injuries of American soldiers in the war. Our country is paying the price for the liberty we have enjoyed, and which we struggle to hold.

Every day sees new divisions sailing eastward on their way to Europe. The shipyards of the country are busy night and day in the building of ships to convoy troops and supplies to the battle-fronts, and to the countries of the peoples who fight with us against Germany.

For upon the United States has fallen the task, not only of supplying men for fighting with the men of France and Great Britain on the western front, but of supplying food, clothing, and ammunition. Depleted by the years of devastating warfare, our fellow fighters look to us for sustenance. And we are not failing them.

One of the sinews of war is money. Nations must raise vast sums to keep up armies. Soldiers must be fed and clothed, and given guns and bullets with which to defend themselves. If they have families at home, their families must be supported. The government of the United States does all this for the men in its army and navy. And the people of the United States stand back of the government to pay for these needs. Besides the government, certain private enterprises are aiding the soldiers, sailors, and all the victims of war abroad, as well as those needing aid at home for various reasons connected with the change that war brings. Only a certain percentage of our population may go overseas to fight, but to every American is given the opportunity of standing back of the lines and doing the part asked of him.