The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1916-05-18
THE WAR TO DATE.

The President of France has put an
end to peace talk by announcing in an
address to the refugees from the lost
provinces that his country will entertain
no offer Of peace from Germany. "Ger-
many" he said, '"must ask for peace
not offer it-when she is ready to accept
the terms Of the Allies" AS Germany
and her allies hold some of the richest
provinces Of France and an area in Rus
STA half IS large as Texas, and have con-
ouered Belgium, Serbia and Montene-
gro, ii is quite unlikely that she vii:
ask for the terms of the Allies.
What prices Germany and her allies
have paid for their successes is matter
Of dispute. 1t is conceded that Frances
losses have been as heavy as Germany's
in proportion to population. Russia's
losses have been estimated at five or six
millions OF men and Germany announces
her own at 2,S00,O00. England gives her
killed, wounded and missing at less than
100000 men, but her loss of prestige has
been great in Asia on account Of SO
many defeats at the hands of the Turks.
Writing from London, correspondent
says there is great uneasiness there for
fear Of a scarcity of food. England i'm
ports yearly 81, 500, 100000 worth of her
food, and it is feared that, on account OF
the reduced number of ships left in the
merchant service by government requi-
sitions, the tonnage will not be suffi-
cient to keep the food supply as great as
the demand. War always brings its
problems, however, and England's enc
mics also have their food shortages, and
perhaps in greater seriousness.
The attack on the great French
fortress of Verdun, which was begun
late in February and has lasted more
than two months, is still being pressed
by the Germans. During ten weeks
they have taken about 200 square miles
Of the 100 square miles of the defended
area together with about 900 prison
ers. The Germans claim that their losses
at Verdun have been light, out the
French say they have been enormous
The only definitely known figures Of
losses on either side are expressed II
prisoners, guns and territory, and ii
these known particulars the Germans
have the best OF the argument.
The English have surrendered an army
to the Turks in the Tigris and Ephrate'
region, but they have another arm!
there to take its place and seem in nt
way discouraged. The Russians hav,
been dealing the Turks some heav!
blows few hundred miles to the north
west and the Allies hope to unite thu
British and Russian Armies for an ad
vance on Constantinople some time dur
ing the summer.
On the Russo-Austrian- German bat
tie front there is little fighting and n
important changes have occurred Their
for several months. The same is true 0
the Italian Austrian frontier. In tn
Balkans, the Allies and Bulgar- Teutcl
forces are doing little.
The Verdun battle seems to be tn
center Of interest for the time being
but meanwhile the Entente Allies ar
making preparations for their greatgen
eral offensive, which is scheduled TO
the summer. Shortage OF big guns an
ammunition is still said to be hamper
irg them, but they claim that they wi
have Z pFcpoaderance in war material
ever the Central Powers by early sur,
mcrtime. This, if they can bring it t
pass, with superior resources in men
money and command of the sea, wi
give victory to England and her allies
the war is fought to a definite decision