Gilpin observer., 1916-08-10


Paris, resolved to redouble their her.
culean efforts and never compromise.
conscription In England.
On December 81, David Lloyd
George, the strongest man in England,
declared Great Britain faced defeat
unless greater efforts were made; and
just week later he demanded general
conscription. threatening to resign If
this measure were not put into effect.
The conscription bill passed its first
reading in the house of commons jan
uary 6. and spring saw 1t in full force.
Premier Asquith was able to announce
that England's total effort was five
million men.
Meanwhile in the East, greater
giant was nursing his wounds and re-
gaining his strength in four-fold de-
gree.
A forewarning came to the world on
February II, when Erzerum was ta-
ken. On April 10 the great Black
sea port of Trebizond fell, and two
days later the first Russian contingent
landed in France. Still the German
writer's would not believe, and 1t took
the magnificent Russian drive of June,
| which won all of Bukowina and a
large slice of volhynia and Galicia to
convince them that Russia was again
! force to be reckoned with.
Russia Well Equipped.
| To understand this phenomenon Of
Russian resurrection 1t is necessary to
realize not only that the Russians now
| hor tha ,hnI lie
they lacked in the great retreat, but
that their losses in numbers bother
them not at all.
Seven million young men have come
Of military age In Russia since the
war began, and Of these at least five
million are fit for duty. Despite her
| gigantic losses, 1t is quite possible
there are more soldiers and potential
soldiers in Russia today than when the
war started. Certainly there are now
and will be for many years to come
all the cannon fodder" that can be
utilized at the front.
Enormously considering the western
front the most dangerous, the German
general staff on February p began a
heavy attack on the fortress of Ver-
dun, with the object Of using up
French ammunition and men until no
allied offensive would be possible this
year.
Being on the outside of a curved line
they were able to place more guns and
maneuver more freely than their op-
ponents, and month after month they
drew closer to the now famous little
city.
Whether their gains were victories
or defeats will only be known after
the war, when we learn the number of
killed and wounded they paid for
each point. They advanced, but were
never able to stampede the defenders.
Perhaps verdun will be the la3t
great German offensive. Certainly to-
day the Teutons have their hands full
stemming the Russian advance. which
is penetrating Transylvania. and the
Anglo-French pounding attack along
the Somme.
Austria on Defensive.
The Austrinns, who In the latter half
of May debouched from the Trentino
and almost gained the foothills and
smiling plains of Italy, are also con-
tent to stand and ward Off the blows
Of the Italians, after giving up most of
their gains.
The year saw the Germans lose
their CAMERON colony In January
while columns of Belgians, French and
British close In on the stout defenders
Of the East African colony, the last OF
the kaiser's oversee possessions.
In Mesopotamia the British, pene.
trating to within seven miles of Bag.
dad. were defeated and forced to re.
treat, being finally besieged In Kut-el.
Amara on December 10. A relieving
expedition was unsuccessful and on
April 30 the garrison capitulated.