The sun., 1916-12-31

'h'ouSh TIC TiVhSh hheS ut this poiit
and they launched assault after as
sault with apparent disregard of their
losses in men.
The stubborn defence put up by the
French forces threw bark the masses
OF Germans with terrific losses on both
sides and finally sounded the death
knell Of the German hopes in the west.
The Austrians had considerable sue
cess on the Italian front during the
month. entering Durazzo on February
&c and driving the Italians before
them.
Portugal signalizcd her entry into
the great conflict on February % by
seizing thirty-four German steamers
informed in Portuguese ports. Ger
many demanded the release Of the
ships and on March Q declared war on
Portugal, the thirteenth nation TO enter
the conflict. During the remainder OF
the year Portugal took No active part
III the HostiiItieS III rsuIop'' Soii''''ihb
her activities 10 Africa.
The spring Fighting.
The month of March was marked
chiefly by the continued determined
attacks OF the Germans upon YER
dun. The contest entered its third
.,.uo L., thl, -ooth x.,i.h r.paafad nj
| tacks on vaux. Douaumont and other
| outlying towns. most OF which were
repulsed with terrific losses.
During this month the Italians
finally checked the Austrian drive and
launched a big offensive along the en-
tire Austrian front. The Russians
continued their victorious drive against
the Turks in Armenia. capturing Bitlis
on March 3 and other important towns
later in the month. The Russians
continued their drive and swept back
the Germans on the Dvinsk front.
Terrific fighting between the italians
and Austrians at the Goritz br~idgehead
marked the closing days Of the month
The Germans continued to smash their
way slowly toward Verdun.. taking the
village OF Maloncourt. neal Vcrdun
March 81. at n tremendous cost.
The early days OF April saw a slow
ing up OF the Russian offensive in
Galicia. The Germans launched a coun-
ter offensive all along the Russian
front, but gained little Roadway. The
following months saw terrific fighting
along this front.
on April 23 the British admitted a
defeat at the hands OF the Turks in
Mesopotamia. and OF April 20 Gen
Townshend and 10000 British soldiers
at Kut-el-Amara. were forced to sur
render after repeated efforts to relieve
them had failed.
In the closing days Of the month the
French made decided gains On the Yer
dun front.
The Ncrdun region was compare
lively quiet in May until nearly the
last Of the month, when the French
launched a heavy attack on the Ger
mans and retook Fort Douaumont. ar
important key to the Verdun defenses
Two days later the Germans retool
this fort after a terrific fight.
During this month Great Britain
definitely abandoned it's volunteer sys'
TEN OF enlistment and enacted a com
pulsory service law. applicable to al
able bodied men between the ages o.
IS and II.
In the closing days OF the month Tho
Germans renewed their drive on Yer
dun and forced their way to within 81,
miles OF the city's gates.
First Great Sea Fight.
The first great naval battle of tn,
war was fought by the German AN
British high seas fleets of the coas
Of Jutland, Denmark, May 81. Tn,
British admit the loss of six cruiser
and eight destroyers; the Germans ad
nit the loss OF one battleship. one hat
tie cruiser and a number Of ligh
cruisers and d~cstroyers. More thar
5000 lives were lost, Both sides claim
The victory.
Five days later Great Britain re
ccived "A staggering blow when tn
British cruiser Hampshire was Blow
up In the North Sea by q mine an,