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THE ARMY AND NAVY

The figures already given of population and wealth suggest the colossal potency of the United States in war. But at the outbreak of the present war that potency was undeveloped, and the actual army and navy strength of the nation was small. The following table indicates the actual strength of the army establishment at the end of the last fiscal year, June 30, 1916:

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Ten days later the same young men look remarkably different. They now carry themselves like true representatives of the Navy.

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A new type of automatic machine gun largely used by the United States Army, Navy and Marine Corps. It is handled by two men, one to aim and fire it, the other to feed the cartridges which are held in brass clips of 30 each. The complete gun weighs only about 35 pounds, fires 400 shots per minute using regular 30 calibre Springfield rifle cartridges with a maximum range of 3 miles and an effective range of about 2,000 yards. The weapon is air-cooled and can be fired steadily for about ten minutes without undue heating.

THE NAVY

The actual strength of the navy in October, 1916, was 3,761 officers and 54,214 men, a total of 57,975. In the Marine Corps there were 410 officers and 11,044 men, a total of 11,454.

According to the United States "Navy Year Book" for 1916, there were at its date of publication the following vessels in the navy listed as fit for service:

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There was thus in being and in assured prospect for the

immediate future the following naval force:

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