Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1916-08-17
GERMANS LOSE THE INITIATIVE
IN SECOND YEAR OF GREAT WAR
Cooperation Among the Entente Allies Brings Sweeping Change
Over the Aspect Of Military Afairs-Two Largest En-
pres Of Earth, Russia and Great Britain, at
Last Fully Organized Second Years
Campaigns Reviewed.

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 at least five
million are fit for duty. Despite her
gigantic losses, it is quite possible
there are more soldiers and potential
soldiers in Russia today than when the
war started. Certainly there are now
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 q began
heavy attack on the fortress of Ver-
dun, with the object of using up
French ammunition and men until no
allied offensive would be possible this
year.
Being on the outside Of curved line
they were able to place more guns and
maneuver more freely than their OPP
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 after
the war; when we learn the number Of
killed and wounded they paid for
each point. They advanced, but were
never able to stampede the defenders.
Perhaps Verdun will be the last
great German offensive. Certainly to-
day the Teutons have their hands full
stemming the Russian advance, which
Is penetrating Pennsylvania, and the
Anglo-French pounding attack along
the Somme.
Austria on Defensive.
The Austriuns, who In the latter half
of May debouched from the TrentinO
and almost gained the foothills and
smiling plains of Italy, are also con-
tent to stand and ward off the blows
of the Italians, after giving up most OF
their gains.
The year saw the Germans lose
their CAMERON colony in January,
while columns Of Belgians, French and
British close In on the stout defenders
of the East African colony, the last OF
the kaiser's oversee possessions.
In Mesopotamia the British, pene-
trating to within seven miles of Bag
dad, We're defeated and forced to re-
treat, being finally besieged in knt-el-
Amara on December 10. A relieving
expedition was unsuccessful and on
April 80 the garrison capitulated.
On April 25, Sir Roger Easement
was captured attempting to land from
German submarine on the Irish
coast. The next day the Sim Fein
society revolted, seized Dublin and
set up a provisional republic. The re-
bellon was Quelled in less than
week.
On June 3 the German and British
fleets engaged in great battle Off
Skaggerrak Although the Germans
claimed victory, they have not yet
followed 1t up by coming out to deal
another blow at the blockading YES
sells. The reports OF losses by the
two sides are impossible to harmonize.
War Costs Flfty.Five Billion.
On August !, the second anniversary
of the start of the great war, the d.
rect money cost to all the belligerents
reached S55,OOO,OOO,OOO.
This Is the consensus of financial
opinion here. Estimates six months
ago We're slightly lower, but the daily
cost has mounted steadily and the
figures given are considered conserva-
tive.
The direct cost does not include the
losses by destruction of property, by
the disorganization Of civilian indus
try, by the death and Gripping Of