With this program of maturity, the Treasury by exercising its option
could call in the nation's war debt for redemption in installments every
five years until 1947.
Secretary of the Treasury, William Gibbs McAdoo, who was also Director
General of Transportation, created a sensation when he resigned both
offices in November, 1918, the resignation to take effect January 1,
1919. Coming upon the eve of the peace conference in Paris and the
announcement that President Wilson intended to head the American
delegates to the conference, the resignation caused widespread surprise.
The reasons given by Mr. McAdoo were ill-health and a serious
depreciation of his private fortune during his incumbency of
governmental positions.
Following the armistice, steps were immediately taken for the
repatriation of a considerable portion of the American forces in France
and the return to their homes of the men in American training camps. The
Third Army of the United States, commanded by General Dickman, was
ordered to the western shore of the Rhine, there to co-operate with the
troops of the Allies until the conclusion of peace negotiations.
The country was amazed on November 23d when General March announced that
the casualties of the American forces which had been anticipated as
being less than 100,000, had in reality exceeded 236,000.
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