The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1917-03-17
THE WARS PROGRESS.

The policy of submarine ruthless
ness inaugurated by Germany on the
1st of February continues IN 1uia
swing and has taken a heavy toll OF
belligerent and neutral shipping, but
the imposing total of vessels and
tonnage destroyed is said to be 1ully
one-half less than the naval author-
tiles of the imperial government es
timated would be disposed OF by the
middle of March, and there IS con-
fidence on the part of the entente
mowers that the Teutonic undersea
operations will fall as far short OF
accomplishing the decisive result
aimed at as have the land and air
campaigns waged by the central ma.
tions, during the past two and a hall
years.
The British forces in France have
been making steady gains recently
and are now within striking distance
of Bapaume, which has been made
German stronghold. There has been
considerable sharp fighting also be-
tween the French and German troops
in the Verdun and Champagne sec
tors, in which the French claim TO
have achieved the advantage IN net
| results.
The most important developments
| of the war in the past two weeks
have occurred in Asiatlc Turkey ana
Persia, where the British and Russian
forces have made notable advances
against the Turks. The British army
commanded by General Maude has
more than retrieved the disaster that
befel Gen. Townshend's force in the
same field of action earlier In the
war. Kut-el-mara, where nearly W.
600 British troops were besleged ana
compelled to surrender, has been
CAPTURED by Gen. Maude's troops, who
have also taken the ancient city OF
Bagdad, which was the objective OF
Gen. Townshend's Inflated campaign,
and are pursuing the demorallzedi
Turks up the Tigris river TOWARD
Samara. rs miles north of Bagdad,
where the enemy is expected to make
a stand.
i Meanwhile Russian forces are max
ing a vigorous drive through Persia
toward Samara, where junction
with the advancing British army Is
anparently aimed at. The success OF
this movement in Mesopotamia is re
garded as dispelling Germany's long
cherished dream of Oriental exten
sion, while completely rehabilitatlnt
and restoring British prestige In the
, east, which had suffered considerably
from the Kut-el-mara disaster.
China has followed the lead of the
United States and severed diplomatl'
relations with Germany, and it is like
w the eastern republic will soon taxi
. further step in the same Director
bv actively entering the war on tn
side of the entente allies.
Former American Ambassador Jas
w. Gerard has returned to the Unite
States from Berlin and expresses tn
, belief that Germany is determined T.
carry out her new submarine pollc,
= regardless of its effect upon the fela
| tions between that country and ours
or of any other consideration Whatso
9 ever, an opinion which tends to con
firm the general belief that tn
| kaiser's government has no hope 0
. winning the war by other method
$ and is stalking all on last desperat
| chance to bring it's antagonists I
+ terms by an indiscriminate destruc
: ton of shipping and the stoppage Q
ocean traffic to an extent that WI
q prevent the importation Of food an
! war munitions in sufficient quantltle
e to supply the needs OF the blockade
q | countries