The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1917-08-06
REVIEW OF WAR SITUATION

,.N dVoI En'ents at Close OF
lhlrd Year-Central Powers Sus-
tanned Momentous Setbacks During
Past Observation-Disclosures Entry
INTO war One Of Biggest Features
of Year Just Closed
by the Associated Press)
The third year Of the world war
closes with the fortunes of the con-
tllct favoring the Entente.
The Central Powers sustained mo-
mentous setbacks, bocn military and
political, during the twelve months.
On both the western and eastern
fronts IN Europe the Teutons find
themselves on the defensive at the
advent of the fourth year. They
fight. on lines newly established at
ter forced retirement from terrain
which they had won in earlier days
at a tremendous sacrifice.
meanwhile new enemy powers, not
ably the United States, have been
drawn in by the Central Empires and
progress toward the achievement of
the ultimate aim Of the Entente and
it's allies has been furthered bv DO
litical disturbance which will remain
memorable in the history of all
times.
Chief among these are the fall of
two crowned heads-Nicholas of Rus
STA andConstantine OF Greece. In Rus
STA autocracy has given way to a
Republic. In Greece a kingdom re-
mains but not a pro-Teutonic one,
Entente pressure having won su-
premacy in this part of the Balkans.
I Political events within the Ger
man and Austrian empires, featured
by the fall Of Chancellor Won Beth
mann Hollweg, have led to open dis
cussions of peace in the German
Reichstag as the fourth year dawns.
In Great Britain, the third year
closed with Winston Spencer Church.
ill, former First Lord of the Admir-
atty, returned to the Cabinet with
the portfolio of Minister of NUM-
tons.
Portugal and Roumania threw in
their fortunes with the Entente
shortly after the third year began
The United States entered in April
followed by Cuba and Liberia. Pan
ANA pledged the United States hel
aid in defending the Panama Canal
Costa RIGA put her naval base at ou1
disposal. China, Bolivia, Guatemala
and Brazil severed diplomatic rela
lions with Germany. Uruguay ex.
/. pressed her sympathy for the United
States.
Three new nations were born dur
ing the year. Poland was created E
kingdom under German and Austrian
direction. In Mecca the Arabians
overthrow Turkish rule and declared
independence. In the Balkans, lib
erty was restored to Albina, which
| was established as a republic under
Italian protection and with French
military aid.
An estimate made two months be
fore the end of the third year
/ voiced by Arthur Henderson Of tn
British War Council-placed the mum
Der of men killed at 100000 sine
August, 1914. French General Head
quarters recently estimated 1900
900 Germans had been killed up
March /. Mr.. Henderson estimate
the total casualties at more tina
$4,000, 900.
II The first and second America
/ contingents of troops landed
/ France June 26 and 81.
II Nearly 100000 Americans {
j military age registered on June 5 III
/ der the selective draft law and fro
i these are being selected the men WI
will comprise the great army conti1
: gents which America is planning
send to Europe.
! In cementing Americas associate
\ with the nations now her allies, nun
erous exchanges of missions were a
ranged. France, Great Britain, 1tal
Belgium, Russia and other Enten
belligerents sent delegations to tt
United States as a step toward ur
fication, military and otherwise. II
United States sent missions to Ru
STA and other countries.
Fighting on the western front du
ing the third year of the war m;
roughly be divided into six phas
1.-two in the latter part Of 1916 b
fore winter called a halt and TO
after the Entente offensive was r
sumed in the early spring.
At the close of the second year t.
Germans were still unwilling to co
cede failure in the operations cente
ing on Verdun. After August
1916, the French gained the ascen
ancy. eliminating in the retaklng
J Donau, Thiaumont and Fort Vau
= with thousands Of prisoners a!
manE gunsA By November t
i. French had once more come IN
possession of the complete circle
the Verdun defenses.
The second phase dates back to t
commencement Of the Franco-Brlti
offensive-the first battle Of
Somme-in July of 1916. By m
ISeptember this had reached ST
proportions that the Germans W
credited with bringing up seven n
divisions against the British and f
against the French. It was estim
ed that 38 German divisions, or, b
ed on the strength Of those Germ
units at that period, about, $50,
on this twenty-mile front. In
battle the British air supremacy
came dominant. BY November
British and French had taken
n:,.a n;.r;an Roaunannt-Hanel