The Washington times., 1915-12-27
Kaiser Wins Overland
Route to- Place, in Sun
But Seas Remain Shut to Austro Germans, While Eco
nomic Distress andFoo d Scarcity Are Exerting
Pronounced Pressur Mason Reviews
Year in War.
By ]. w. T. MASON.

in September, but without success:
The Germans lost few miles OF
trenches, but they were able to check
the enemy before the drives threat
ened 10 compel a general retirement
toward the German frontier. The
result OF the costly experiment
showed that the German trenches are
not >impregnnhle, but also revealed
the feet that the Anglo French gem
eraI staffs have not solved the prob.
lem OF following up one Fuccessful
attack by, another in the face or GER
man artillery!
year has had disappointing results for
Great Britain. Russia, and France, The
italians. after seven months hghting'
have not gained as much territory as
exchange for Italy's benevolent neutral
ity. The principal factor working
against italian success has been the
superiority which trench warfare gives
to an army on the defensive. The
Roman government is now facing seri-
Gus though subdued criticism at home
As the year ends, there are reports that
pressure is being exerted In favor Of
the return to power OF the veteran pro-
German ex-premier, Giolitt. italy has
signed an agreement with the other
members of the quadruple entente not
to make a separate peace, but II Signor
Giolitti were to be made prime min
ister, he would undoubtedly use his in
huence for peace at the earliest mo-
ment.
Financial Situation Serious.
The financial situation among all the
belligerents has steadily grown more
and more serious as the expenses Of
the conflict during the year have cease
lessly mounted. The total daily cost of
the war is now about $500 900. two
thirds of which Is being paid by the
quadruple entente. and one-third by
Germany and her allies. The British,
who have been most lavish in their
payments, have also been the most sin
cere In facing the critical monetary
problems of the war Great Britain
alone among the belligerents has begun
10 shoulder the financial burden OF the
conflict by accepting large war taxes.
Elsewhere the war Is prolonged almost
exclusively on borrowed money 1t is
probable that the exhaustion of golden
bullets. and the accompanying danger
of economic disaster will be the prin-
cipal determining factors In bringing
the war to an end.
The. food situation in Germany and
Austria Hungary has become more seri-
Gus this year than last. but has not
grown sufficiently hazardous to compel
the Austro-Germans to accOpt peace.
II Is contributing cause nevertheless
to the persistent desire for peace which
Is more apparent in Germany as the
year closes than anywhere else.
A nation which will consent to live on
half ralons indefinitely II 1t is fighting
defensive war. may refuse a long cur
tailment or FOOD II the government has
offensive purposes In view.
AS this years fighting drew to an end
DIR. Won Bethmann- HoIweg, the Ger.
man chancellor, declared in the reachs-
Tag that Germany was fighting a de-
fensive war, to prevent herself being
crushed by the allies. But. last August,
Or. Helnerich, the German minister 6f
! finance, announced also In the Teachs-
Tag. that Germany's. war expenses
from the enemy. The year Is ciosinS
without any disavowal from Berlin Of
DR.. Helnerich's intimation OF conquest