AMERICAN OFFICIAL NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 August 1918, Page 3

AMERICAN OFFICIAL NEWS.

The following official wireless news from America is made available by the United States Consul at Melbourne: — WASHINGTON, July 26.

Gigantic preparations have been made for the transport and supply of soldiers. The State Department has announced that the Mediterranean, as well as the Atlantic, ports of France are constantly being enlnrged. An article published in Genoa, written by the correspondent of the “Giornale” said: “American intervention is not a formal hope or a promise. It is a reality in all its forms. The organisation for transporting and receiving a great army is already complete for actual needs, and is being completed for those of the future. The building of maritime bases, railways, immense stores of arms, food, munitions, coal, medicine, petrol, etc., is in some eases finished, and in others near ing completion. From the ocean it has passed to the Mediterranean, to the south of France, and along the Coast. Other work is being begun. I did not believe that America could have done so much, but having seen, I am able to believe they will do much more and will obtain their arms.” The Provost Marshal-General has called up 50,000 negroes for general military service. Hie German wireless station at Nauen is flooding neutral countries with a propaganda complaining because America’s army includes coloured fighters. However, the British and French papers have highly praised the coloured detachments lighting on the Western front. The negroes behaved with remarkable coolness during heavy bombardment, and afterwards repulsed a German attack. So military chiefs do not wonder that Germany laments. A world’s record in destroyer construction has been established on t.h« Pacific Coast in commissioning a destroyer in 70 days after the keel was laid. It was launched in 17 days after the first plate was laid. ,