AM PREFACE AND DEDICATION MERICA, peaceful, isolated and serene in the midst of international intrigues yet not embroiled in them, suddenly found itself in August, 1914, an international power. Although it did not enter the World War until April 6, 1917, its destiny was fixed when Gavrilo Prinzep on June 28, 1914, shot and killed the heir to the throne of AustriaHungary and Sophia Chotek, his morganatic wife. At first the web of circumstance binding the United States to the rest of the world as the consequence of that deed was gossamer fine. With German rapine in Belgium, the sinking of the unarmed Lusitania, the destruction of American lives and property through German plots and the growth of Teutonic militarism into a cloud that shadowed and menaced civilization, the filaments of the web grew into ropes and cables of steel drawing us irresistibly into the world conflict. This book tells the story of that web and how America acquitted itself therein. Deeds are more eloquent than words. America's entrance tipped the scales against Germany; but the decision came after England and her great colonies, heroic France, Belgium, Italy and Russia had held the Teutonic coalition to a stalemate on the bloodsoaked fields of Europe. America's share in the triumph of an idealistic civilization over a militaristic autocracy is told in these pages in narrative form. Every deed that is recited, every sacrifice that is set forth finds its warrant in the official records of the Great War. The reading of this book is urged by the head of the American Expeditionary Forces, General Pershing, as a patriotic privilege and duty upon every American. The examples of those glorious dead whose blood hallows the wheat fields at Château-Thierry, the dark depths of Belleau Wood and the forest of the Argonne must create in generations of Americans yet to be born ideals of democracy and of sacrifice that will continue the United States of America in the van of civilization. Authoritative documents and maps aid the reader in following the tremendous world changes achieved through America's magnificent adventure in the cause of international liberty. Official photographs illuminate the text and carry the reader into the scenes where men's souls were tried in the fiery crucible of war. DEDICATION It is fitting that this history should be dedicated. Of all those who made possible the defeat of Germany, one stands above all others, and to him, I dedicate this book. To the bravest of the brave; to one who took hardships gallantly; who left peace, prosperity and a happy home, ready to endure vermin, disease and privation on a foreign soil; to the man who bore wounds with a smile and who met death face to face serene and unafraid. To the Yankee fighting man of every creed and color this history of "America's Part in the World War" is a tribute and a memorial. CONTENTS. A Sword Unsheathed for Democracy's Sake-Autocracies Crumble-Old Nations Disappear-New States Take Their Place-The Map of the World Torn Apart and Reshaped-America Strikes the Deciding Blow-Tribute of Marshal Foch- The Return of General Pershing and the Famous First Division. Americans Caught in the Whirlpool of the World War-List of War Declarations and Severance of Diplomatic Relations-Attempts to Keep America Out of the War Unavailing-Torpedoing of American Vessels-The Diabolical Destruction of the Lusitania-Nation-wide Rage Aroused by Germany's Ruthless Act Germany Renews Submarine Warfare-Von Bernstorff Sent Home-The German- Mexican Plot-Germany's Offenses Against the United States-President Wilson Calls the Nation to War-America United in Patriotism-Scenes Surrounding the PAGE IV. CONSCRIPTION OF A PEACEFUL NATION The Die Cast for Selective Service-How the Drafts were Made-The Greatest V. TRANSFORMING CITIZENS INTO SOLDIERS A Modern Miracle that was Enacted Almost Over Night-The Story of the Canton- ments-The Lessons Learned in the Great War Applied in American Camps . . 66 General Pershing and the First American Expeditionary Force Arrive in France- Doughboys Train in the Sector Made Sacred by Joan of Arc-Welcome of Our Troops from the United States Fire the First Shots and Suffer the First Casualties- Taking Over the Sector Northwest of Toul-American Engineers to the Rescue— Anxious Days When Hope Was at its Lowest Ebb-British and French Forced Cantigny Taken by Americans in a Surprise Attack-The Doughboy's Baptism of Fire-Yankee Courage and Dash Tested-A Clean-Cut Victory That Came in the Allies' Darkest Hour-London Prophesies "Cantigny Will One Day Be Repeated X. AMERICA'S GLORY AT CHÂTEAU-THIERRY Stopping the German Rush Forty Miles From Paris-The Second Battle of the Marne, in Which the Yanks Outfought the Teutons-Marines and Regulars Strike at Château-Thierry and Neuilly-The Story that Will Live in Letters of Flame Forever-Routing the Huns from Belleau Wood and Bouresches-Secretary Daniels' XI. AMERICA THE DECIDING FACTOR More than One Million Troops in all Services Ready in France-Vaux Captured by Americans-The Back of Germany's Great Offensive Broken-Composition of French and Americans Strike Hard on the Marne-Aisne Front-Teutons Driven The American Expeditionary Forces Ready to Act Independently-Five Army Corps Planned, to be Welded Into One Great Army Under Command of General Pershing-Organization Upon the Most Modern Lines-Arrangement by Army Corps as Made Just Before the Grand Assault in the St. Mihiel Salient America Strikes Alone-The Great Salient that Defied the French and British உ Thirty Thousand Prisoners and Vast Quantities of Munitions Captured by French The Natural Fortresses in German Hands Since 1914 are Stormed by Americans- XVIII. SAVING THE WOUNDED AND SICK Medical Department of the United States Army makes a Glorious Record-Fifteen per cent of all American Doctors Enlist for Active Service-Caring for Men in Camps and on the Battlefield-Fighting the Influenza Epidemic-Heroic Service of the Nurses-Reconstruction Work for Soldiers, Sailors and Marines-The American Army Hospital in France a Model City of Six Hundred Buildings Commission on Training Camp Activities-The American Red Cross-Young |