COPYRIGHT, 1918 FRANCIS A. MARCH This history is an original work and is fully 08-6-37880 WAR DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF, WASHINGTON. NOVEMBER 14, 1918. With the signing of the Armistice on November 11, 1918, the World War has been practically brought to an end. The events of the past four years have been of such magnitude that the various steps, the numberless battles, and the growth of Allied power which led up to the final victory are not clearly defined even in the minds of many military men. A history of this great period which will state in an orderly fashion this series of events will be of the greatest value to the future students of the war, and to everyone of the present day who desires to refer in exact terms to matters which led up to the final conclusion. The war will be discussed and re-discussed from every angle and the sooner such a compilation of facts is available, the more valuable it will be. I understand that this History of the World War intends to put at the disposal of all who are interested, such a compendium of facts of the past period of over four years; and that the system employed in safeguarding the accuracy of statements contained in it will produce a document of great historical value without entering upon any speculative conclusions as to cause and effect of the various phases of the war or attempting to project into an historical document individual opinions. With these ends in view, this History will be of the greatest value. R6 March. General, Chief of Staff, United States Army. Gift 8-2-37 Repl CONTENTS. A Conflict that was Inevitable-The Flower of Manhood on the Fields of France Germany's Defiance to the World-Heroic Belgium-Four Auto- cratic Nations against Twenty-four Committed to the Principles of Liberty- America's Titanic Effort-Four Million Men Under Arms, Two Million Overseas-France the Martyr Nation-The British Empire's Tremendous Share in the Victory-A River of Blood Watering the Desert of Autocracy 19 CHAPTER II. THE WORLD SUDDENLY TURNED UPSIDE DOWN The War Storm Breaks-Trade and Commerce Paralyzed-Homeward Rush of Travelers-Harrowing Scenes as Ships Sail for America-Stock Markets Closed-The Tide of Desolation Following in the Wake of War . CHAPTER III. WHY THE WORLD WENT TO WAR The Balkan Ferment-Russia, the Dying Giant Among Autocracies-Turkey the "Sick Man" of Europe-Scars Left by the Balkan War-Germany's The Assassination at Sarajevo-The Slavic Ferment-Austria's Domineering Note The Plotters of Potsdam-The Mailed Fist of Militarism Beneath the Velvet Glove of Diplomacy-Mobilization and Declarations of War Germany Invades Belgium and Luxemburg-French Invade Alsace-England's "Contemptible Little Army" Lands in France and Belgium-The Murderous Gray-Green Tide-Heroic Retreat of the British from Mons-Belgium Over- run-Northern France Invaded-Marshal Joffre Makes Ready to Strike. |