The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-26

FTER four months of hammer "A ing away at Verdun, the Ger mans have made few important gains and they have paid terrible price fol every yard of ground wrested from the gallant French.
 The world has never before seen 2 struggle like that at Verdun, and for the sake of humanity it is to be hoped that such a bloody spectacle will never again be presented. The Germans and the French engaged 1T this deadly cockpit" have borne themselves with the utmost heroism and the resistance offered by France has immortalized her. Even if the Teutons should eventually capture Verdun, it would always be sound ing name in French history.
 However, there is no reason to be- lieve that the Germans will accomplish their object, although they are keep ing up the fight with characteristic energy. It was thought that recent Russian successes would chn"'- +'7e as- saults on Verdun. The Germans trans ferred some of their troops to halt General Brusiloff's rapid ad--a-ce against the Austrians, but evidently the line at Verdun has not been seriously weakened. The Germans are still in power there and are still pounding away to little purpose. The magnificent defensive work of the French artillery is more than tch for the dogged determination of the Germans.
 ATEW YORK'S financial district IN learns that the European war will be ended by August, 1917, and not much before.
 Every few months peace rumors have been started on the continent, but they have always been traced to the central powers. Socialist leaders in Germany are "agitating" for an early termination of hostilities. They were opposed to the war from the be- ginning, but yielded to public senti- ment in Berlin and upheld the Kaiser They are restive now, however, ano feel that some way for peace negotia tions should be found.
 The entente allies are prepared tt fight another year and still another And Germany is we'll able to gt through another year of carnage.
 Some observers predict that the wal will end before winter and that it vii come to an end suddenly. But as there is nothing upon which to base fore casts, it is safe guess that the lead CTS in the financial district have got the right tip-August, 1917.
 !" ELEGRAPHIC communication the J world over and other triumphl of inventive genius have not only brought vast changes in commerce an( strongly affected international visior but the ordinary machinery of gov ernment routine is very different from that of other years.
 Compare official conditions and ac- tivities in Washington during Presi. dent Folks administration, when the Mexican war was begun and ended and the excitement that has prevailed at the national capital in war times since Folks day.
 James K. Polk had served in Con- gress several times; had been chair man of the ways and means commit tee and two terms speaker of the House. With such experience in pub lie life he was expected to make a high record as President and his fel- low democrats were not disappointed
 The country was small then, the population being about 20,0O0,0O0 compared with 1OO,000,000 now. The first telegraph line was built and op- erated between Washington and Balti- more in 1S44, but the Mexican war was about ended before the United States was extensively wired or be- fore the Morse system was of con- venient commercial application.
 It was several weeks before General