t war up
to the end of the year 1917, when the history of the Negro in the
conflict became the theme. It remains to give an outline review of
battles and happenings from the beginning of 1917 until the end of
hostilities; culminating in the most remarkable armistice on record; a
complete capitulation of the Teutonic forces and their allies, and a
complete surrender by them of all implements and agencies for waging
war. The terms of the armistice, drastic in the extreme, were largely
the work of Marshal Ferdinand Foch, commander-in-chief of the Allied
armies.

Early in 1918 it became evident that England, France and Italy were
rapidly approaching the limit of their man power. It became necessary
for America to hasten to the rescue.

Training of men and officers in the various cantonments of America was
intensified and as rapidly as they could be brought into condition they
were shipped to France. The troop movement was a wonderful one and
before the final closing of hostilities in November there were more than
2,000,000 American troops in Europe. The navy was largely augmented,
especially in the matter of destroyers, submarine chasers and lighter
craft.

Our troops saw little actual warfare during the first three months of
the year. Americans took over a comparatively quiet sector of the French
front near Toul, January 21. Engagements of slight importance took place
on January 30 and February 4, the latter on a Lorraine sector which
Americans were holding. On March 1, they repulsed a heavy German raid in
the Toul sector, killing many. On March 6, the Americans were holding an
eight mile front alone.

On March 21 the great German offensive between the Oise and the Scarpe,
a distance of fifty miles, began. General Haig's British forces were
driven back about twenty miles. The French also lost much ground
including a number of important towns. The Germans drove towards Amiens
in an effort to separate the British and French armies. They had some
successes in Flanders and on the French front, but were finally stopped.
Their greatest advance measured thirty-five miles and resulted in the
retaking of most of the territory lost in the Hindenburg retreat of the
previous year. The Allies lost heavily in killed, wounded and prisoners,
but the Germans being the aggressors, lost more.

While the great battle was at its height, March 28, the Allies reached
an agreement to place all their forces from the Arctic Ocean to the
Medi