Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1916-08-11
GERMANS LOSE THE INITIATIVE
IN SECOND YEAR OF GREAT WAR
Cooperation Among the Entente Allies Brings Sweeping Change
Over the Aspect Of Military Aftairs-TwO Largest En-
pires of Earth, Russia and Great Britain, at
Last Fully Organized Second Years
Campaigns Reviewed.

were meeting in a new war council at
Paris, resolved to redouble their her
culean efforts and never compromise.
Conscriptlon 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 a wee. 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
that E%ngland's total effort was five
million men.
Meanwhile in the East, a greater
giant was nursing his wounds and re-
gaining his strength In four-fold de-
gree.
A fOrewarning anne 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 it took
the magnificent Russian drive of June,
which won all of BukOwina and II
large slice Of Volhynla and Galicia to
convince them that Russia was again
a 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
have the heavy artillery and shells
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 Mt 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 10Y
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 Yer
dun, with the object Of using up
French ammunition and men until nc
allied offensive would be possible this
year.
Being on the outside of a curved line
they were able to place more guns anc
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 attel
the war, when we learn the number o.
killed and wounded they paid fol
each point. They advanced, but wer'
never able to stampede the defenders
Perhaps Verdun will be the la
great German offensive. Certainly TO
day the TeutOns have their hands full
stemming the Russian advance, whicl
is penetrating Pennsylvania, and tn,
AnglO-French pounding attack aloni
the SOmme.
Austria on Defensive.
The Austrians, who in the latter hal
of May debouched from the Trentin
and almost gained the foothills AM
smiling plains of Italy, are also con
tent to stand and ward Off the blow
Of the Italians, after giving up most o
their gains.
The year saw the Germans los
their CAMERON colony in January
while columns Of Belgians, Preach an
British close In on the stout defender
of the East African colony, the last O
the kaiser's Oversea possessions.
In MesOpOtamla the British, pen'
trating to within seven miles of Bal
dad, were defeated and forced to r.
treat, being finally besleged In Kut-e
Amara on December 10. A relievin
expedition was unsuccessful and o
1 ADri1 RI the QaFrioon panffulatad