The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1916-09-07
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 ut 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 ut the front.
Enormously considering the western
front the most dangerous, the German
general staff on February 81 began Il
heavy attack on the fortress of Yer
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 II curved line
they were able to place more guns and
vancouver more freely than their OPP
ponrntS, 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 We're
nll In to r,,nnt1A t1,D Infnnf1nr,S
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-Frcnch pounding attack along
the SOnme.
Austria on Defensive.
The AuStrians, 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
LhNlI >ulIlClOOH SOiOuJ Ill OuAuul y
while columns of Belgians, French and
British close in on the stout defenders
of the East African colony, the last of
the kuiser's oversee possessions.
In Mesopotamia the British, pene-
trhting to within seven miles Of Bag
dad, were defeated and forced to re-
treat, being finally besieged in Kut-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
n German submarine on the Irish.
coaA The next day the Sim Fein
society revOlted, seized Dublin and
set up provisional republic. The re-
belliOn was quelled in less than a
week.
On June 3 the German and British
fleets engaged in a great battle off
skaggerrak. Although the Germans
claimed a victory, they have not yet
followed it up by coming out to deal
another blow at the blockading yes.
sells. The reports of losses by the
.wO sides are impossible to harmonic.
War Costs Fifty.Five Billion.
On August l, the second anniversary
If the start of the great war, the di.
'ect money cost to all the belligerents
cached $55,OOO,OOO,OOO.
This is the consensus of financial 4
opinion here. Estimates six months
lgO were slightly lower, but the daily
'ost has mounted steadily and the
igures given are considered conserva.
i've.
The direct cost does not include the
oSses by destruction of property, by
he Reorganization of civilian indus.
ry, by the death and gripping OF