Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1916-12-28
THE EUROPEAN WAR


dict In which all Europe Ia involved
can win. dltliculty appreciate the
magnitude OF the events which have
trAnspired during the past Il months.
Generations to come. however, looking
hack upon this period with a clearer
vision. will recognize the year 1915
90 one ct the most tremendous. from
hist0ry-mnking standpoint. since the
world began.
Europe continued It's blood.Ietting
throughout the year with even greater
fer0city thnn marked the first 10
months following the breaking OF the
storm. The great war rounded out
Ito second and entered upon Its third
year. with little promise Of an early
conclusion OF peace. During the year
new nations entered into the war. one
Of them. R0umania. to become the
scene Of some Of the most ferocious
dkhtlng OF the year. one new nation
was created. another tottered to Its
fail. while on 4 dozen fronts millions
Of men were fed ms human sacrifices
70 the insatiate war monster.
There were seven outstanding
phases Of the great war during the
year 1919. These comprised the great
Offensive OF the Russians In Galicia.
/ which was finally checked by the Tefl-
tonic allies the supsrhurnan efforts OF
- Ossusans 10 capture veriun.
which we're thwHrtei BY the equally
superAnMan defense offered by the
French: the long-awaited grand often.
sfve Of the British and the French on
tho western front. resulting In the re-
c0vcry Of considerable area In the
6Omme region. but not definitely break.
ing tho deadlock In northern France;
tho checking OF m Austrian offensive
BY the Italians and the launching OF
Z c0unter-offe by which the Ital.
ians made big strides In their cam.
palgn against Trieste: the conquest of
R0umania by tho Teutonic allies; the
drive OF the Serbs. aided by French.
Italian and British troops. In I'm effort
70 regain their lost kingdom. and the
Anai abandonment by the entente nj.
lies OF their disastrous Gallipoli cam
palgu.
The Russians launched their Of
fenslvo I'm Gaiicla on the first day Of
the year. On January 0. the effort OF
the entente allies to force the Darda-
Oeiles was definitely abandoned, aud
the forces OF the allies entirely evacu.
atcd the Gailipoll peninsula.
vorflue Attack L sunchsd.
nariy Ia February. the Russians. aft.
er tull ID the lighting. resumed their
Offeasivc in uHftcia and ON February 10
they CROSSED the Dnlester and threat
sned CxernOwitz. The Russians, un-
der Grand Duke Nicholas. also con-
unued their drive In the Caucasus and
on February IA they captured the
important town Of Erxerum. Febru-
AIRY 81. the Germans. led by the crown
prince. launched their attack on Yer
dun. and during the next few days
they smashed their way through the
outer dctenses until they came within
hig-gun range Of the French strong
hold. Tho French. taken by surprise.
were forced to give ground. but by
the last Of the month they had
skr~ngthened their shattered lines and
had checked the German drive. In the
verdun sector. for the next few
months. occurred some Of the most
sanguiaary lighting Of the entire war.
The Austrians had considerable sue
cess On the Italian front during the
month, enterlng Duraxzo on February
20 and driving the ltaiians before
them. Portugal slgnalixed Its entry
into the great conflict February % by
selxing 81 German steamers interned
In Portuguese ports. Germany demand
ed the release OF the ships and on
March 3 declared war on Portugal, the
thirteenth nation to enter the con.
nlct.
The month Of March was marked
chiefly ~ the coAtiaued Determined Mt.
tacks Of the Germans upon verdun.
The assault entered It's third stage In
this month with repeated attacks on
vaux. Douaumoat and other outlying
towns, most Of which were repulsed
with terrific losses. During the month
the Italians finally checked the Aus.
trian drive and launched big often.
slye along the entire Austrian front.
The Russians continued their victori-
Gus drive against the Turks In Ar
mont. capturing Ritlis ON March 3
aud other Important towns later In the
mouth.
THE early days Of April saw a slow
tng up OF the Russian offensive In On.
licia. The Germans launched coun-
ter offensive all along the Russian
front hut gained little Roadway. The
following months saw terrific lighting
aloag this front. April Is. the British
admitted defeat AZ the hands OF ths
TMrka Ia Nesopotamia and On April
20. General Townshend and 10000 Brit
I'm soldiers. who had been besieGed b,
the Turks at Kut-el-Amarn, wers
forced 20 surrender after repeated ef
forts 10 relieve them had failed.
orsat 90 Battle Fought.
The frst great naval battle Of tn,
var was fought by the German ant
British high sens fleets or the coast o
Jntiand. Denmnrk. May 81. The Brit
ish admit the loss Of six large cruiser
and eight destrcvers, the Germans OF
- n