Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY, JANUARY 24th, 1918. AMERICA’S MILITARY AID.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 January 1918, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY, JANUARY 24th, 1918. AMERICA’S MILITARY AID.

Thk organised industry of the United States of America, which was one of the Stain supports of Russia’s military efficiency, is now being concentrated upon their own requirements. The fear that America’s efforts on her own behalf would result in the neglect of Russia’s military requirements need no longer he entertained, as it is plain that the intervenCion of the United States is suing to be a bigger factor in the war than Russia was ever likely to he. The statement made in one of the recent cabled messages that plans are being considered for increasing the number of American troops to be sent to Europe in 1918 and 1919 to 5,000,000 sound* rather too good t.o be true. The, task of equipping, transporting, and maintaining during the next two years, half of this'total would be a gigantic one, even if Groat Britain and France rendered material assistance. A fair idea of America’s available manpower was obtained a* a result of the registration of all male residents who had reached the age of 21 years, but who were not yet 31 years of age. This was taken in June last, the total registration being 9.659,382, of whom 7,347,794 were white, 953,899 were coloured. 1,239,865 were unnaturalised Germans, including “declarants,” that is persons having declared tlieir intentions to become citizens but* not having received their final naturalisation papers; and 6.001 were Indians. It is obvious that, the number of exemptions would reduce this total of over nine and a half million considerably. Apart from those who are medically unfit, there is the army of munition makers, and others to be provided for. America’s assistance is not to consist'of armies alone. The Allies are looking to her now ship-building yard to assist them in defeating the submarine menace, while her Njeroplane factories have a task on hand which is almost equally important. A great number of her men of military age will also he required to remain at home in order that her industrial efficiency may not bo impaired and in order that her armies in the field may he supplied with the war material, which is now as important as the armies themselves. It is, therefore, extremely doubtful whether America will lie able to "send 5,000,000 men to France within the next t"'o years, even although their training would ho completed on the Continent. The 700.000 whom General Crowder estimates will attain the military age ('very year will lie an addition to the total registration quoted above, but will only represent the normal recruitment, which sooner or later must he utilised to make good the inevitable losses.