The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1917-08-02

our merchant ships voyaging abroad.
On April @ congress formally declared
war. Then followed a CONSUMPTION law
10 create armies, loans to the allies
one of s2,O0o,oO0,0oo to the nation by
the people-the dispatch Of war vessels
10 Europe under command Of Rear Adj
miral Sims; also OF Major 6cneral
Pershing, to prepare base Tor INC
American contingent already represent
ed on the firing line In France by de-
tachment bearing the Stars and Stripes,
on May rs, 49,
The Russian Setback.
During the efforts to secure a diplo-
matte peace Russia stood firm, The
duma rejected Germany's proposals, and
the imperial government Endorsed VIII
sons peace league note Russian sup
port OF Roumania had never been
strong and entirely dropped AWAY In
the winter. II seemed that Russia was
powerless. A revolution In which the
troops and their generals figured depos-
ed the ear the middle OF March, ana
there began n state of military indeci-
sion and inactivity while factions con-
tended for political control at Petro-
grad.
Early in February the German retro
grade began north OF the Somme, ba-
paume and Peronne, the goals OF
months OF bloody struggles, yielded the
middle OF March to the allies led by
Ntvelle and Haig. and shortly the Ter
mans turned and began to resist Wig
orously all along the front "specisl
reasons" was Berlin's explanation OF
this great and mastery retreat. fuI-
Their withdra wal was forced by British
attacks on the Ypres salient and at
Messines in May and June. -.-~~
Western Entente Powers Pressed.
The entrance OF the United States
AZ an ally led to an announcement by
British and French commissioners sent
here for conference, among them Mar
shal Joffre, that the resources OF Eng
land, France and Italy In men, money,
food and munitions were at low ebD,
and Russia must be considered ~ VIZ
tually eliminated as an aggressive
force. These frank disclosures caused
surprise and deep anxiety on this SIDE
of the ocean, the more 80 because the
ruthless U boat operations. which be-
gan In February. had been more Do
structive than expected by the allies,
although their toll had fallen far short
of Germany's estimate-1, 100000 tons
per month The destruction OF freight
ships varied from week to week dur
ing March, April and May, but the TO-
tai was 70 great as TO forebode disas-
ter unless the evil was speedily sup
pressed.
The entente's money problem was
quickly solved by affording heavy cred
It's to pay for their supplies brought
here A commission. headed by Eibu
Root, repaired 10 Russia to swing the
weight Of the United States on the
side OF the forces In authority who
favor q continuance OF the war on
Germany. The response to calls for
troops and immense war funds and
the successful registry for the draft
followed by the safe arrival OF large
expeditionary force In France. led to a
reaction during June from the misgiv-
ings and uncertainties which had pre-
vailed for weeks
Notable among the closing events OF
the third year Of war are the renewal
Of attacks upon the Austrian fronts by
Italian and Russian armies. The ltal-
ian movement began early In June and
had for Its object the recovery Of posi-
tions in the Trentino, which the Aus
TRANS had captured In their great
spring drive Of 1915. At the close OF
June the Italians suffered a severe
check.
July opened with strong Russian
offensive on the line OF the Dniester,
at Lembera. This was renewal
In part Of the great drive led by Gen
cral Brusilor one year before Inspir-
cd by the presence on the field Of the
new Russian war minister. Kcrensky,
the army OF General Korniloff, In front
Of Halicz, captured that position on the
10th, crossed the Dniester and marched
toward Stryj. taking Kalucz on the
18th and prisoners which raised the
total captives In the campaign TO about
%, 900 men.