The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-12-26
EUROPE TEARS
DOWN old IDOLS
Political UphGaValS Mark Clos
ing Of tho Year.
FIRST GLIMPSE Ce PEACE

In Proposal of German Chancellor the
World Sees First Ray of Hope For
Cessation of Hostiities-Hopes and
Failures of the Embattlod Nations of
Europe.
A review of Europe must, of course,
deal almost exclusively with the war
Of that stricken continent But, while
battles are being fought and thousands
of lives lost, it is not the armed strife
that is most prominent in the eyes of
the world at the present moment. Men
gather than events monopolize the cen
ter OF the world stage as the year closes.
The greatest political upheaval has
just taken place in England, where
Herbert Asquith, who has held the
portfolio of prime minister for nine
consecutive years, almost record IN
English politics, has relinquished his
post in a most critical time, ousted by
the forces which stood behind David
Lloyd George, the great little Welsh
man Of the British empire, upon whose
shoulders has now fallen the heavy
burden of conducting the war
At the same time the close of the
year brought about a change in the
military command of the French ar
mics, General Nivelle, the defender of
Verdun, having been named field COM
mander of the fighting forces, sue
ceeding General JOffre, the idol of the
French people, who becomes military
adviser of the small war council which
is to direct the French conduct of the
war and which follows closely along
the lines OF the small council estab-
lished in England.
Germany's Peace Suggestion.
Closely following the reorganizaticns
Of the cabinets in England and France
and that OF Russia also came the offer
Of the German chancellor, Won Beth
mann-Hollweg, transmitted through
the United States and other neutrais,
asking the enemies of the central pow
ers to discuss peace terms. Germany's
terms were not mentioned in the offer,
but were TO be submitted over the
council table ifihe offer was accepted.
The year has been one of alternate
hope and despair for the opposing
groups of bellikerents. First among
the military events comes the down
fall of Roumanla. The latter country
declared war upon Austria on Sept. 5
and Immediately invaded Transylva-
mia. The declaration Of war came at
moment when military events look
ed blackest for the central powers.
Germany had been defeated at Verdun
after an offensive that had lasted for
months and that cost thousands of
lives and millions In ammunition. The
British forces under Sir Douglas
Haig were battering at the German de-
fenses on the Sommel and also gaining
ground. The Russians had overwhelm-
ed the Austrians and occupied much
of Hungarian territory, while the Ital-
ian forces had after q long struggle
succeeded In occupying Gorizia. So
the Roumanian menace to the central
powers had dark forebodlngs.
The invasion of Austrian territory by
the Roumanians was of short dura-
tion. however. II seems that the Teu-
tons had been accommodating men and
munitions for campaign against Rus
sia, and these were Immediately d.
Verted toward the Roumanian lnvad-
ers. The latter were thrown back,
and their retreat continued Under the
successive hammerings of General Won
Falkenhayn and Field Marshal Won
Mackensen until Roumania Itself was
invaded. Both Teutonic generals con-
hnued their campaign relentlessly. and
three months after Roumania had de-
elered war three-quarters OF the cOun-
try, the richest In oil wells and wheat
lands In Europe. was In the possession
OF the Teutons.
| Meanwhile the British offensive at
the Somme had been brought to q
halt after the Germans had lost about
thirty square miles OF territory.
Proposed Polish Kingdoms.
One of the most stirring political
events In Europe was the proclamation
issued by Germany and Austria on
Nov. 8 declaring the conquered terri
n
tory Of Russian Poland an Independent
kingdom.
Another momentOus event was the
recapture by the allied forces In the
Balkans of Monastir, which saw the
return of Servians to their own land
after it had been completely conquered
for more than a year.
The greatest sea battle OF modern
times was fought on May 81 when the
German high seas feet and heavy
squadron of the British grand deet met
Off the coast OF Jutland. In this bat
tie. the victory of which Is still claimed
by both sides. the Germans lost five
cruisers. one battleship and six de
stroyers, while the British losses art
estimated at six warships, eight de
stroyers, with two battleshiRs In doubt
( The loss of life was: German. about
1000; British, about 5000.
With the ending of the year the neu
tral world sees rift in the darh
! clouds that have been lowering oyeI
/ Europe and the rest OF the world rol
the past two years and a half. An at
III IU.M