The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1916-12-23
PROGRESS OF THE WAR

From Last Sundays Salt Like Tribune
Somewhat more than % months OF
slaughter was required to elicit the
first definite offer of peace. For rs
months the world had wondered
which side would be first to make the
offer. So evenly balanced had been
the scales in the worlds greatest
war that it was impossible to predict
at any time during those % months
which side would be compelled to
sue for peace. And now we find the
side which proposes peace loudly
claiming the victory. 1t is a situa-
ton which puzzles the whole world.
The entente powers quick to
denounce the offer as a political trick.
1t was described as an effort to pla-
cate rebellious spirits at home and at
the same time put the Allies in the
wrong if they refused to negotiate.
One salient feet. however, looms
out of the obscurity Germany
wants peace. Whatever may have
been the motives debating a formal
proposal at this time, the central EN-
pires are eager to end the a And
if they can end the war within the
next few months they are the victors.
They cannot, of course, hope to i'm
pose their will upon the peace con-
ference as completely as they expect
ed at the outset. They have won on
the continent of Europe, but they
have lost on the sea. and Germany's
last colony is about to slip into the
grasp of the Briton. If a conference
is held, it will be a trade among
equals.
Russia was quick, through its duma,
to reject the offer and the French
have shown a lively disposition to
continue the WEI without thought of
immediate peace, but Great Britain
will make the binding Z ION. 1t
is Great Britain that is Fl. o.lcing the
war; if Great Britain has had enough
Russia, France and Italy must quit.
The English are in a better position
now than ever before to conduct a
successful war. They have just CON-
pleted the gigantic industrial organi-
zation which will enable not only
them, but the Cars millions, to arm
and munition adequately for a final
triumph. Great Britain will not be
exerting her maximum of power
until next Summer and she probably
could do better in the fourth than
in the third year of the war. Great
Britain, on the other hand, is in a
splendid position to trade with the
enemy. Holding most of the Ger
man colonies. she can offer them
back for concessions in Europe and
in Asiatic Turkey. But peace now
would mean that Great Britain had
failed to achieve the object for which
she has been building up her army
and navy since she entered the war
the destruction of Germany as a
military, and especially as a naval
power.
While the peace notes were being
transmitted General Nivelle, at Yer.
dun, struck another of his brilliant
blows. Throwing 100, 900 men against
the German works and intrenchments
north of Verdun, he speedily retool
captured ground on a front of si1
miles to a depth of two miles, cap
tured about 10000 prisoners, eighty
cannon and a tremendous amount Of
war material. His offensive ira
versed most of the ground which the
Germans took in the first few day.
of their advance last February. He
now has in his possession about one,
fourth of all the ground captured by
the enemy in the drives on Verdun
and the strategic advantage gained
mayforce the Germans to reconstruc'
their lines. so that he will be able tt
occupy more ground without much
effort.
The poor showing of the German!
may be ascribed to several causes