ONE TRAVELS BEST IN FRANCE WHEN A MEMBER OF THE “TOURING CLUB DE FRANCE” +===========================================+ | IN MEMORY | | OF THE MICHELIN WORKMEN AND EMPLOYEES WHO | | DIED GLORIOUSLY FOR THEIR COUNTRY | +===========================================+ THE AMERICANS IN THE GREAT WAR VOLUME I. The Second Battle of The Marne (CHÂTEAU-THIERRY, SOISSONS, FISMES) _Published by_ Michelin & Cie, Clermont-Ferrand, (France) Copyright, 1920, by Michelin & Cie _All rights of translation, adaptation or reproduction (in part or whole), reserved in all countries._ FOREWORD _When the United States of America declared war on Germany, it was not known exactly what shape their intervention would take_--i.e., _if their help would be limited to aiding the Allies financially and industrially and tightening the blockade, or if they would take an active part in the military operations. Opinions on this point were much divided, and if many were in favour of an unrestricted participation in the war, others were for a more moderate programme._ _When, at the beginning of April, 1917, President Wilson announced that America’s help was to be unrestricted, the army of the United States comprised some 9,000 officers and 200,000 men--a mere “drop in the ocean,” as numbers go in modern warfare._ _Marshal Joffre’s visit to the United States aroused great enthusiasm; the Conscription Bill was promptly passed, and the American War Minister, Mr. Baker, and Marshal Joffre studied the organization and transportation to France of a powerful expeditionary force._ _With wonderful rapidity recruits were raised, regiments formed, and training camps built. French and British instructors co-operated heartily, and, pending the creation of national war factories, France equipped the first American army with her famous 75mm. guns, 155mm. howitzers, machine-guns, etc._ _By March, 1918, the American Army had grown to more than 110,000 officers and 1,400,000 men, with sixteen immense training camps, besides special technical schools and up-to-date aviation camps._ _When, on March 28, in the name of the American people, General Pershing offered to place the whole of the forces under his command at the disposal of Marshal Foch, who had just been made “Generalissimo of the Allied Armies,” part of the new American army had already landed in France, and several divisions were facing the enemy on the Lorraine front._