New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1917-07-28

closes with the fortunes of conflict
favoring the Entente except for un-
certainty as to the outcome of the
Russian situation.
The Central Powers sustained mo-
mentous setbacks, both military and
political, during the twelve months
On the Western front In Europe
the Teutons find themselves on the
defensive at the advent of the fourth
year. They fight on lines newly es-
tablished after forced retirement from
terrain which they had won in earlier
days at tremendous sacrifice.
Meanwhile new enemy powers.
notably the United States, have been
drawn in by the Central Empires and
progress toward the achievement of
the ultimate aim of the Entente and
its allies has been furthered by politi-
cal disturbance which will remain
memorable in the history Of all times.
Chief among these are the fall of
two crowned heads-Ntcholas of Rus
STA and Constantine Of Greece. In
Russia autocracy has given way to a
republic. In Greece a kingdom re-
mains but not pro-Teutonic one. En-
tente pressure having won supremacy
in this part of the Balkans.
Political events within the German
and Austrian Empires, featured by the
fall Of Chancellor Won Bethmann-
Hollweg, have led to open discussions
of peace in the German Reichstag Us
the fourth year dawns.
In Great Britain. the third year
closed with Winston Spencer Chur-
chill, former first lord of the admiral
ty returned to the ca binet with the
portfolio of minister of munitions
Gcrmany's Foes Grow Apace.
Portugal and Rumania threw in
their fortunes with the Entente shortly
after the third year began. The
United States entered in April, fol-
lowed by Cuba and Liberia. Panama
pledged the United States her aid in
defending the Panama Canal. Costa
Rica put her naval bases at our dis
posal. China, Bolivia, Guatemala and
Brazil severed diplomatic relations
with Germany Uruguay expressed
her sympathy for the United States.
Late in July Siam entered the war
against the Central Powers.
Three new nations were born during
the year. Poland was created a king
dom under German and Austrian di-
rect1on. In Mecca the Arabians over
threw Turkish rule and declared indie
pendence. In the Balkans. liberty was
restored to Albania, which was es-
tablished as republic under Italian
political protection and with French
military aid.
An estimate made two months be-
fore the end of the third year-voiced
by Arthur Henderson, of the Rritieb
war council-placed the number of
men killed at 100000 since August,
1914. French general headquarters
recently estimated 1900 Germans had
been killed up to March i. Mr.. Hen
derson estimated the total casualties
at more than 45.000.000
The first and second American con-
tingents Of troops landed in France on
June rs and 81.
Nearly 100000 Americans Of
military age registered on June
under the selective draft law, and
who will comprise the great army
contingents which America is planning
to send to Europe.
In cemening Americas association
with the nations now her allies, nu-
merous exchanges of missions were ar
ranged. France, Great Britain, Italy,
Belgium, Russia and other Entente
belligerents sent delegations to the
United States as step toward unif1ca-
ton, military, financial and otherwise.
The United States sent missions to
Russia and other countries.
Fighting on the western front dur
ing the third year of the war may
roughly be divided into six phases
two in the latter part of 1916 before
winter called halt: and four after the
Entente offensive was resumed in the
early spring.
Battle Of Verdun.
At the close of the second year the
Germans were still unwilling to con-
cede failure in the operations center
ing on Verdun. After August 3, 1916.
the French gained the ascendancy.
eliminating in the retaking of Doua,
Thiaumont and Fort Vaux. with thou
sands of prisoners and many guns. BY
November the French had once more
come into possession of the complete
circle Of the Verdun defences
The second phase dates back to the
commencement of the Franco-Britsh
first battle of the
somme-in July of 1915. BY mid
Septemb Der this had reached such pro-
portions that the Germans we're
credited with bringing up seven new
divisions against the British and five
against the French. 1t was estimated
that 38 German divisions. or based on
the strength Of those German units at
that period. about 100000 men.
opposed the British and French on this
2O-mtle front. In this battle the British
air supremacy became dominant. BY
Novem Der the British and French had
taken st. re-Divion. Beaumont
Hamel and Beaucourt and had pene
trated German positions for depth of
six miles.
In the spring, the Germans antici-
pating a resumption of the Somme
operations. began what has become
known as the "Hindenberg victorious
retreat" to newly esta blished German