The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-08-17

question Of terms and putting of the /,
discussion Of permanent peace until the /
end of the war.
In January President Wilson revived |
interest in the subject Of peace by out |
lining plan for peace league, max
ing peace without victory" consent |
of the governed and world Monroe
doctrine" the fundamentals for n world
peace. While the whole world was
discussing this turn of affairs Germany
Informed neutrals on Jan. 81 that sub
marine warfare would be more ruth
less than ever. Three days later the
German ambassador was given hi5
passports. and the president informed
congress Of the break and Its causes.
Ambassador Gerard received his pass
ports at Berlin Feb. 3, and on tile 10th
Germany, through the Swiss govern
ment, proposed negotiation of the new
dispute. This the United States de-
clined unless the new submarine order
was withdrawn.
After Won Bernstorff sailed and Ge-
rard was out of Germany the state de-
partment disclosed n German plot to
involve the United States with Japan
and Mexico. War measures followed
rapidly. Congress expired March 4
without indorsing the presidents "arm-
ed neutrality" policy, A special session
Of the new congress was summoned to
meet April ., and meanwhile the pres
ident ordered armed guards placed on
our merchant ships yoyaging abroad.
On April G congress formally declared
war. Then followed a CONSUMPTION law
to create armies, loans to the allies
one of S2,000OO0,000 TO the nation by
the people-the dispatch Of war vessels
to Europe under command Of Rear Adj
miral Sims; also of Major General
Pershing, to prepare base for the
American contingent already represent
cd on the firing line In France by de-
tachment bearing the Stars and Stripes,
on May %.
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 lelgile ngtea Russian sup
port of E9umania had never been
strong aud entirely dropped away in
the winter. 1t seemed that Russia was
powerless. A revolution in which the
troops and their generals figured depos-
| cd the car the middle OF March, and
there began 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 or
months Of bloody struggles, yielded the
middle of March to the allies led by
| Nlyellc and Ilaig. and shortly the Ger
mans turned and began to resist Wig
orously all along the front Special
reasons" was Berlin's explanation OF
| this great and mastery retreat. Fur
Their withdrawal was forced by British
| attacks on the Ypres salient and at
Messncs in May and June.
Western Entente Powers Pressed
The entrance of the United States
| as an ally led TO an announcement by
British aud French commissioners sent
here for conference, among them Mar
| shall Iodre. that the resources of Eng
land. France and Italy in men, money
food and munitions were at low ebD.
aud Russia must be considered as vir-
! tuaiy eliminated as an aggressive
force. These frank disclosures caused
surprise aud deep anxiety on this side
of the ocean. tie more so because the
ruthless L boat operations which be-
gan in February. had been more de-
structive than expected by the allies,
although their toll had fallen far short
Of Germany's estimate-l000000 tons
ner month. The destruction of freight
ships varied from week TO week dur
| ing March. April and May. but the to
tai was so great as to forebode disas
ter unless the evil was speedily sup
pressed.
The entente's money problem was
quickly solved 10y ai1ording heavy cred
It's to pay for their supplies brought
here. 4 commission. headed by Elihr
| Root. repaired 70 Russia 70 swing the
| weight OF Tie" T9itel States on the
side Of the forces n authority who
favor continuance of the war OF
Germany. Tho response TO calls fol
troops and immense war funds and
the successful registry for the draft
followed by the safe arrival of n larg,
expeditionary force In France, led to {
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 renewa
Of attacks upon the Austrian fronts by
Italian and Russian armies. The Ital
ian movement began early in June ant
bad for its object the recovery of posi-
tions in the Trentino, which the Aus
TRANS had captured in their great
1