f methods
by which the men could be obtained, the supplies procured, and an
analysis of the shipping which must be obtained in order to accomplish
this very large military program. This was accompanied by an estimate of
the cost of the proposed program.

In this study I recommended to you the adoption, as the American
program, of eighty divisions in France and eighteen at home by June 30,
1919, based on a total strength of the American army of 4,850,000 men.
This was approved by you and by the President of the United States and
adopted as our formal military program. To carry this program into
effect required the adoption by Congress of a change in the draft ages
so as to include men between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years,
and also created a deficiency over the enormous appropriations already
made by Congress of some $7,000,000,000. The presentation of the program
to Congress, accompanied by the statement that this increase in the
army, if laws were passed by Congress which would make it effective,
would lead to success in 1919, produced prompt and favorable
consideration by that body. Up to the signing of the armistice troops
were being transported to France monthly in accordance with that
program. The results speak for themselves....

[Illustration: Photograph]
Photo by International Film Service.
THE SALVATION ARMY ON THE WESTERN FRONT
A shell-proof dugout used as a rest room for soldiers.

[Illustration: Photograph]
Copyright Press Illustrating Service.
THE Y. M. C. A. IN THE FRONT LINE TRENCHES
The Y. M. C. A. sign beside the trench points the way to a dugout,
instead of the usual hut, in which soldiers found the comforts which
made the sign of the triangle famous.

[Illustration: Photograph]
Photo from Underwood and Underwood. N.Y.
A LETTER FROM HOME
In thousands of France's little stone houses this scene has been
duplicated. In the towns and villages soldiers were assigned or
"billeted" to the houses of the inhabitants with the result that a
deep mutual respect grew up between the two nationalities.

During the year, the most important in the history of the country both
from a military and civil standpoint, there have been four heads of the
General Staff: Major-General Hugh L. Scott, from the outbreak of the war
until his retirement, September 22, 1917; General Tasker H. Bliss, from
that date until May 19, 1918; Major-General John Biddle, Acting Chief of
St