Kelly Miller's History of the World War for Human Rights Part 7

The navy in European waters has at all times most cordially aided the army, and it is most gratifying to report that there has never before been such perfect co-operation between these two branches of the service.

As to Americans in Europe not in the military services, it is the greatest pleasure to say that, both in official and in private life, they are intensely patriotic and loyal, and have been invariably sympathetic and helpful to the army.

Finally, I pay the supreme tribute to our officers and soldiers of the line. When I think of their heroism, their patience under hards.h.i.+ps, their unflinching spirit of offensive action, I am filled with emotion which I am unable to express. Their deeds are immortal, and they have earned the eternal grat.i.tude of our country.

CHAPTER III.

PRESIDENT WILSON'S REVIEW OF THE WAR.

TROOP MOVEMENT DURING THE YEAR--TRIBUTE TO AMERICAN SOLDIERS--SPLENDID SPIRIT OF THE NATION--RESUME THE WORK OF PEACE--OUTLINE OF WORK IN PARIS--SUPPORT OF NATION URGED.

On December 2, 1918, just prior to sailing for Europe to take part in the Peace Conference, President Wilson addressed Congress, reviewing the work of the American people, soldiers, sailors and civilians, in the World War which had been brought to a successful conclusion on November 11th. His speech, in part, follows:

"The year that has elapsed since I last stood before you to fulfill my const.i.tutional duty to give to the Congress from time to time information on the state of the Union has been so crowded with great events, great processes and great results that I can not hope to give you an adequate picture of its transactions or of the far-reaching changes which have been wrought in the life of our Nation and of the world. You have yourselves witnessed these things, as I have. It is too soon to a.s.sess them; and we who stand in the midst of them and are part of them are less qualified than men of another generation will be to say what they mean or even what they have been. But some great outstanding facts are unmistakable and const.i.tute in a sense part of the public business with which it is our duty to deal. To state them is to set the stage for the legislative and executive action which must grow out of them and which we have yet to shape and determine.

TROOP MOVEMENT DURING THE YEAR.

"A year ago we had sent 145,918 men overseas. Since then we have sent 1,950,513, an average of 162,542 each month, the number in fact rising in May last to 245,951, in June to 278,760, in July to 307,182 and continuing to reach similar figures in August and September--in August 289,570 and in September 257,438. No such movement of troops ever took place before, across 3,000 miles of sea, followed by adequate equipment and supplies, and carried safely through extraordinary dangers of attack, dangers which were alike strange and infinitely difficult to guard against. In all this movement only 758 men were lost by enemy attacks, 630 of whom were upon a single English transport which was sunk near the Orkney Islands.

"I need not tell you what lay back of this great movement of men and material. It is not invidious to say that back of it lay a supporting organization of the industries of the country and of all its productive activities more complete, more thorough in method and effective in results, more spirited and unanimous in purpose and effort than any other great belligerent had ever been able to effect. We profited greatly by the experience of the nations which had already been engaged for nearly three years in the exigent and exacting business, their every resource and every proficiency taxed to the utmost. We were the pupils.

But we learned quickly and acted with a promptness and a readiness of co-operation that justify our great pride that we were able to serve the world with unparalleled energy and quick accomplishment.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PHOTOGRAPHED IN A VILLAGE IN GERMANY.

A member of the 369th (old 15th N.Y.) brought this picture back with him. He is wearing the smile which tells the story. The war is over.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: LIEUT. "JIMMY" EUROPE AND HIS FAMOUS BAND.

This band was hailed with enthusiasm by the French. Five kettle drums in this band were presented by the French as a mark of esteem. Another drum, beaten by Willie Webb, of Louisville, Ky., was a trophy left by the Germans when they retreated.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: GETTING READY FOR THEIR DAILY BATH.

Negro troops in a transport going over. No inconvenience marred their good cheer.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: IN LINE FOR REVIEW.

Members of the 15th Infantry being reviewed. A st.u.r.dy and determined line of fighting men.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: A QUARTETTE WHICH GAVE GOOD ENTERTAINMENT.

These colored members of the 301st Stevedore Regiment were attached to the 23rd Engineers in France.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: LINED UP AND READY FOR ACTION.

Members of the 15th Infantry. Note the serious and determined expression in their faces. They mean business and will obey orders.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: AT THE SIGNAL BOX READY TO SOUND THE GAS ALARM.

These men had a great responsibility placed upon them. The sounding of the Gas Alarm quickly and accurately, when gas was detected, meant saving the lives of many men.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: BOTH WORKING FOR THE Y.M.C.A.

Mr. Kelly and his colored driver at work during the last German offensive.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: BAPTIZING NEGRO SOLDIERS AT CAMP GORDON.

A religious and very effective scene. These Christian men had faith and confidence in their religion.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: COLORED TROOPS IN PUERTO RICO.

A brilliant Fourth of July parade through Allen Street, San Juan, Puerto Rico.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: NEGRO SHARPSHOOTERS.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: NEGRO CHILDREN WEAVING CLOTH.

Recently photographed in Kamerun, the last of the German provinces in Africa to surrender to the Allies. Ill.u.s.trating child labor at the lowest possible cost.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: AFRICAN NEGROES IN KAMERUN, SHOWING NATIVE HEADDRESS.

These pictures were photographed in Fumban, the largest and most densely populated section of Kamerun, one of Germany's colonies in Africa captured by the Allies.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: NATIVE CHILDREN SPINNING COTTON IN KAMERUN, AFRICA.

Kamerun was the last German province in Africa to hold out against the Allies. This picture was taken by the Allies since they captured the Colony. The natives were never before photographed.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Africa and the World Democracy

HOW AFRICA WAS DIVIDED UP AMONG THE NATIONS OF EUROPE BEFORE THE WAR]

_Area_ _Country_ _Sq. Miles_ _Populat'n_ British Empire 3,700,000 52,325,000 France 4,641,000 29,577,000 Germany 931,000 13,420,000 Portugal 749,000 8,244,000 Italy 593,000 1,579,000 Belgium (Belgian Congo) 909,000 15,000,000 Spain 88,000 660,000

INDEPENDENT STATES Abyssinia 432,000 8,000,000 Liberia 40,000 1,800,000

[Ill.u.s.tration: AFRICAN TROOPS BEING TRAINED IN FRANCE.

These husky fighters are bound to deliver the goods.]

TRIBUTE TO AMERICAN SOLDIERS.

"But it is not the physical scale and executive efficiency of preparation, supply, equipment and dispatch that I would dwell upon, but the mettle and quality of the officers and men we sent over and of the sailors who kept the seas, and the spirit of the Nation that stood behind them. No soldiers, or sailors, ever proved themselves more quickly ready for the test of battle or acquitted themselves with more splendid courage and achievement when put to the test. Those of us who played some part in directing the great processes by which the war was pushed irresistibly forward to the final triumph may now forget all that and delight our thoughts with the story of what our men did. Their officers understood the grim and exacting task they had undertaken and performed with audacity, efficiency, and unhesitating courage that touch the story of convoy and battle with imperishable distinction at every turn, whether the enterprise were great or small--from their chiefs, Pers.h.i.+ng and Sims, down to the youngest lieutenant; and their men were worthy of them--such men as hardly need to be commanded, and go to their terrible adventure blithely and with the quick intelligence of those who know just what it is they would accomplish. I am proud to be the fellow-countryman of men of such stuff and valor. Those of us who stayed at home did our duty; the war could not have been won or the gallant men who fought it given their opportunity to win it otherwise; but for many a long day we shall think ourselves 'accursed we were not there, and hold our manhoods cheap while any speaks that fought' with these at St.

Mihiel or Thierry. The memory of those days of triumphant battle will go with these fortunate men to their graves; and each will have his favorite memory. 'Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot, but he'll remember with advantages what feats he did that day!'