Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1917-01-06
THE EUROPEAN WAR

uOSc WHO are eHEdBeu III VI are
viewing at close range the titanic con-
fiict in which all Europe is involved
can with difficulty appreciate the
magnitude of the events which have
transpIred during the past II months.
Generations to come, however. looking
back upon this period with a clearer
vision. Will recognize the year 1915
as one of the most tremendous, from
history-makIng standpoint. since the
world began.
Europe continued It's bloodiettlng
throughout the year with even greater
ferocity than marked the first Is
months following the breaking OF the
storm. The great war rounded out
Its second and entered upon it's third
year, with little promise OF an early
conclusion OF peace. During the year
new nations entered into the war, one
OF them. Roumana. to become the
scene OF some OF the most ferocIous
fighting of the year, one new nation
was created. another tottered to its
fall. while on a dozen fronts millions
OF men were fed as human sacrifices
10 the insatiate war monster.
There were seven outstanding
phases OF the great war during the
year 1916. These comprised the great
offensive of the Russians In Gallcia.
which was finally checked by the leu
tonic allies, the superhuman efforts OF
the Germans to capture Verdun,
which were thwarted by the equally
superhuman defense offered by the
French: the long-awaited grand often
slve OF the British and the French on
the western front, resulting In the re-
covery of considerable area In the
Somme region. but not definitely break
ing the deadlock In northern France;
the checking OF an Austrian offensive
by the Italians and the launching of
CONFERENCE.-The by which the Tsal-
fans made big strides In their cam
paign against Trieste: the conquest OF
Roumanla by the Teutoric allies; the
drive OF the Serbs, aided by French,
Italian and British troops. In an effort
60 regain their lost kingdom. and the
final abandonment by the entente al
lies of their disastrous Gallipoli cam
paign.
The Russians launched their Of
fensive In GallcIa on the first day Of
the year. On January o. the effort Of
the entente allies To force the Darda.
nelles was definitely abandoned. aud
the forces of the allies entirely evacu-
ated the Galllpoll peninsula.
Verdun Attack Launched.
Early In February, the Russians, aft
er iull In the fighting. resumed their
offensive In Gallcia and on February 10
they crossed the Dniester and threat
ened Czernowitz. The Russians, I'M
der Grand Duke Nicholas also con
tinued their drive In the Caucasus and
on February il they captured the
important town OF Erzerum Febru-
airy II. the Germans led by the crown
prince, launched their attack on Yer
dun, and during the next few days
they smashed their way through the
outer defenses until they came within
biggun range of the French strong.
hold. The French. taken by surprise
were forced to give ground. but by
the last of the month they had
strengthened their shattered lines and
had checked the German drive. In the
Verciun sector. Tor the next few
months. occurred some OF the most
sanguinary fighting of the entire war
The Austrlans had considerable sue
cess on the Italian front during the
month, entering Durazzo on February
20 aud driving the Italians before
them. Portugal slgnnlized its entry
into the great conflict February - by
seizing 50 German steamers informed
in Portuguese ports. Germany demand
ed the release of the ships and on
March declared war on Portugal. the
thirteenth nation to enter the con
dict.
The month OF March was marked
chiefly by the continued determined at
lacks of the Germans upon Verdun.
The assault entered its third stage In
this month with repeated attacks on
Yaux, Douaumont and other outlying
towns. most of which we're repulsed
with terrific losses. During the month
the Italians finally checked the Aus
TRAN drive ana launched big often
slve along the entire Austrian front.
The Russians continued their yictori.
Gus drive against the Turks I'm Ar
mont. capturing Bills on March 8
aud other important towns later In the
month.
The early days OF April saw a slew.
ing up OF the Russian offensive In Ca
Iicis. The Germans launched coun-
ter offensive Nil along the Russian
front but gained little Roadway. The
following months saw terrific lighting
along this front April -. the British
admitted a defeat M the hands OF the
Turks In MeSopotamia aud on April
%. General TownShend and 10000 Brit
ish soldiers, who had been hesieged 10y
the Turks nj Kut-el-Amara. were
forced to surrender after repeated eff
Forts 20 relieve them Gad failed.