But it is in no boastful spirit and with no vainglorious purpose that “What America Did” is presented. There is no one of the millions who shared in that doing but knows and is glad to say that beside what Britain, or France, or Italy did or Belgium suffered America can only stand with bent head and reverent heart. It is much to be desired that a similar record, presenting outlines and essential facts within a space possible for the reading of the average busy person, of the achievements and sacrifices of each of these nations should be prepared for our own and for coming generations. For the sum total of their testimony would so utterly disprove the old, old lie that a democracy can not be efficient and so summarily cast it into outer darkness that men would never again say it or believe it as long as time lasts. If this little volume is privileged to do its share toward proving that “the highest and best form of efficiency is the spontaneous coöperation of a free people” I shall feel it an honor to have done the work of assembling and presenting its evidence. To those many officials and temporary assistants of the Government--they are far too many to mention separately--who have given me their cordial and painstaking coöperation in my effort to make all the facts and figures and statements of this work accurate and authoritative I wish to acknowledge my very great indebtedness. Without their constant and most courteous help the book would have been impossible. FLORENCE FINCH KELLY. New York City, May, 1919. CONTENTS PAGE PREFACE v FOREWORD: ENTERING THE WAR xiii PART ONE THE FIGHTING FORCES SECTION I. ON LAND CHAPTER I. THE MAKING OF THE ARMY 3 II. HOUSING THE SOLDIERS AND THEIR SUPPLIES 20 III. FEEDING AND EQUIPPING THE ARMY 24 IV. CREATING A MUNITIONS INDUSTRY 34 V. CARING FOR THE WOUNDED 48 VI. THE WELFARE OF THE SOLDIERS 59 VII. MAINTAINING THE ARMY IN FRANCE 70 VIII. AT THE FRONT 83 SECTION II. BY SEA IX. EXPANSION IN THE NAVY 95 X. OPERATING AN OCEAN FERRY 105 XI. WORKING WITH THE ALLIED NAVIES 113 XII. THE NAVY ON LAND 120