The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1915-12-30
REVIEW OF
WORLD War
FOR YEAR
OF 1915
GERMANY HAS WON OVERLAND
PATHWAY. BUT TIE SEAS ARE
CLOSED TO HER AND FOOD
SCARCITY CAUSES DISTRESS.
NO CHANGE ON WEST FRONT
(BY J. w. T. MAsoN).
written for the United Press.)


won the overland pathway to her place
N the sun, as the close OF the fighting
OF 1915 merges into the second win
ter OF the European war. But the
seas still remain nhut to the Teutons
and economic distress and food scar
city are exerting more pronounced
pressure for peace in the Central En-
pires than among the other beiliger-
ent nations.
The primary cause Of the war has
been lost this year TO both of the orr
ginal participants. The conflict be-
gan over the irreconcilabie Balkan
differences OF Russia and Anstro-Hun.
gary. Each power wanted TO be SUI
preme in Southeastern Europe. The
0nd of the fighting In 1915 finds Rus
sia held in check beyond the Balkan
border. while Austro Hungary Is play.
ing q minor military part in Serbia
under the direction OF Marshal Won
Eackensen and the German General
dominant in the Balkans. The Kaiser
has wrested the arst prize OF the war
from the Slays themselves. and from
his own Southern ally as well.
Buiearia,s entrance into the conflict
on the side OF the Teutons has been
the years most important develop
nent. The military consequence
which have followed Bulgaria.s action,
have given TO the Germans a clear
road from Berlin TO Bagdad- The
Aesopotamian metropolis has long
been marked by German statesmen to
become the Berlin OF tho Middle East
and the center OF Germanys place In
the sun. The years events having
opened for Germany the rear entrance
into Bagdad, the kaiser must continue
to nght TO the point OF exhaustion
for permanent possession Of this preci-
Gus r1ght OF way. The British deet
can prevent Germany from expanding
overseas. but Il cannot block the road
TO the new empire In the east. This
Is the dominant reason for Germany's
interest in Bagdad.
NJ NlItI
twelve months toll northward thru
Mesopotamfa from the Persian Gulf. is
now trying TO enter Bagdad by the
front door. But tho Turks under Ger.
man leadership have thrust the in.
vaders ninety miles TO the south OF
Bsgdad. and the city at the close of
the year remains safe for the Teutons.
Nevertheless. during tho years fhght-
ing. the British have captured the
Garden OF Eden and other territory
between the Tigris and Euphrates
rivers greatly desired by Germany.
The military developments OF. tho
year make 1t certain that the Russian
bear will not be able to take his drink
Of warm water at the Persian Gulf:
and little less than miracle must
now happen 10 give the Car Constan-
tinople for an outlet to the unfrozen
seas. The British effort to enter Con.
stantinopie by way Of the GaIiipoli
Peninsula has failed during the year.
and Great Britain is now reluctant
TO undertake n second costly expert.
ment in southeastern Europe for Rus.
sia's sake.
British interest in the Balkan cam
paign is primarily due to its bearing
on the security OF Egypt. Lord Kitch-
ener.s visit to the Levant during the
latter part OF the year and his quick
return. seem to have created q be.
lief in London that Egypt can be bet.
ter defended along the Srez canal
than In the Balkans. The advantage
OF communications. which the Ger
mans possess in the Balkans, would
pass to the British IL the Teutous
and Turks were to attempt an omen
sivo by crossing the desert to the
east OF suez.
Russia's defeat on her own soil by
the combined Austro-Hungarian and
German offensives this summer was
not sufficiently decisive to cause the
Car to sue for separate peace. The
Grand Duke Nicholas saved the great.
or part OF his armies. and although he
was removed from his command be.
cause OF the loss OF GsiiciA and the
vistula defences. he prevented the
kaiser from compelling the czar to
surrender. s1 .s.Ssvss ~ ~
The.ysarshAs-ssen no change oi Inn.
portance along ths Western bas1s-
'front.' 1hs French In Champagne .snd'