By the nations of the Entente, the decision of the United States was re ceived with the greatest relief and enthusiasm. They saw certain victory in the accession of so formidable an ally. By the neutral nations also, who had so many causes for grievance against Ger many, the declaration was in general ap proved, though from motives of dis cretion their expressions were restrained. Some of them, however, deemed the ac tion regrettable, because they had pinned their hopes to America's mediation in securing the world's peace.
Germany received the news with blended feelings. In many influential quarters there was a frank acknowledgment of the seriousness of the step that placed the richest and most powerful nation in the world on the side of her enemies. Others ridiculed the military power of this country, and predicted that our opposition would prove negligible. It was urged that redoubled efforts be made to crush the forces of the Entente, before America's help could be made available. It was freely prophesied that the submarines would prevent any Amer ican transport from landing troops in France. And even if this hope failed and American troops were brought into ac tion, it was declared that they could never sustain the onset of German veterans.
Although there had been much com plaint of the country's unpreparedness for war, prior to the declaration, there was no legitimate ground for criticism of the energy and resolution with which all departments of the Government began to function, immediately after the state of war became a fact. The instant the news was flashed from Washington, port officials everywhere, accompanied by de tachments of Federal troops, seized all German ships that were lying in Ameri can Harbors. There were 91 of these in all. With the exception of a German gunboat at Manila, that was blown up by its officers, all were taken possession of without serious incident. The crews were interned at stations on shore, and Government machinists were put at work repairing the damaged machinery of the vessels.
The radio system throughout the United States was also taken under Government control. Every wireless station, not only on this continent, but also in all our island possessions, was seized on April 6, in conformity with the order of President Wilson. Those that might be useful were retained in opera tion. but others were dismantled and
suppressed. All amateur wireless plants were forbidden to function.
Barred zones were established about the entire coast line of the United States, varying in width from two to ten miles. Vessels were forbidden to enter ports at night, and their ingress and egress in the daytime were conformed to strict rules that were enforced by an extensive coast patrol.
Hand in hand with these defensive measures, went energetic preparation for offense. Even prior to the declara tion of war, orders had been issued March 25-26, for the mobilization of 37 units—regiments and battalions—of the National Guard, for the purpose ostensi bly of policing threatened points but really to get ready for war. The 22, 000 men who had been on border duty near Mexico, though they were due to be mustered out, were retained in the service. By April 1, more than 60,000 of the entire National Guard of 150,000 men were under arms, and the mobiliza tion had outrun the equipment that was ready for them.
In the Navy, also, work was rushed with all possible speed. An executive order was issued, March 26, increasing the enlisted naval strength to 87,000 men. Ensigns were rushed from An napolis three months before graduation.
The marine corps was increased to 17, 000 men. Retired officers were called back for bureau work, so that younger men might be released for active service,' By June 6, American warships had ar rived off the coast of France. Naval bases were established on both the French and English coasts as stations for American destroyers, co-operating with the Allied navies against German submarines. In addition, over 200 mer chantmen had been provided with guns and crews to work them before the end of August.
Army work was necessarily slower, because of the magnitude of the demands of this arm of the service. The regular army had been recruited to its full authorized strength of 300,000 men by August 9. By August 5, the National Guard regiments had also swelled to their full strength of 300,000 men. The aggregate fighting strength of the two bodies was 650 000 men, many of whom had been well drilled, but most of whom had seen no actual fighting. And much of what these knew had to be promptly un learned, in order to conform to the new tactics and strategy developed by the war.