Middletown transcript., 1917-01-06
REVIEW Of EUROPEAN WAR AND OTHER
IMPORTANT EVENTS Of THE YEAR 1876
Great Conflict RACES With Increased ntensy-Romana, FIJI
teenth Nation to Enter Struggle 0verrun by Central Pow
ers-Teutonc Allies Make First Peace Proposals.
u United States Faces Several Crises.
THE EUROPEAN WAR

T0OSe WHO are cHSdSCu IL "
yiewing at close range the titanic con-
net in which all Europe is involved
an with difficulty appreciate the
magnitude of the events which have
during the past II months.
to come, however, looking
back upon this period with clearer
vision, will recognize the year l9l6
u one of the most tremendous, from
] history-making standpoint, since the
world began.
Europe continued its blood-letting
the year with even greater
than marked the first Is
months following the breaking of the
storm. The great war rounded out
Its second and entered upon its third
year, with little promise of an early
conclusion of peace. During the year
new nations entered into the war, one
Il them, Roumania. to become the
scene of some of the most feroclous
aghting of the year, one new nation
was created, another tottered to Its
fall, while on q 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 1915. These comprised the great
offensive of the Russians in Galicia,
which was finally checked by the Teu-
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
Aye of the British and the French on
The western front, resulting in the re-
eovery of considerable area in the
Somme region, but not definitely break
ang the deadlock in northern Fiance /;
the checking Of an Austrian offensive
BY the Italians and the launching of
q counter-offensive by which the Ital-
sans made big strides in their CAM
Daign against Trieste; the conquest of
ROumania by the Teutonic allies; the
drive Of the Serbs, aided by French,
italian and British troops, In an effort
% regain their lost kingdom, and the
anal abandonment by the entente al
Hes of their disastrous Gallipoli cam
Saign.
The Russians launched their Of
fenSive In Galicia on the first day OF
The year. On January o. the effort OF
the entente allies to force the Darda'
nelles was definitely abandoned, and
The forces of the allies entirely evacu
sted the Gallipoli peninsula.
Verdun Attack Launched.
Early in February, the Russians, aft
er a lull In the fighting, resumed theil
offensive in Galicia and on February II
they crossed the Dniester and threat
ened Czernowitz. The Russians, un
der Grand Duke Nicholas, also con
tinued their drive in the Caucasus ant
On February IA they captured tn
amportant town of Erzerum. Febru
ary 81, the Germans, led by the crown
prince, launched their attack on Yer
dun, and during the next few day
they smashed their way through tn
euter defenses until they came within
big-gun range of the French strong
hold. The French, taken by surprise
were forced to give ground, but b
ahe last of the month they ha
strengthened their shattered lines an
had checked the German drive. In tn
yerdun sector, for the next fey
months, occurred some of the mos
sanguinary fighting of the entire wa
The Austrians had considerable SUI
cess on the Italian front during tn
month, entering Durazzo on Februar
26 and uriving the Italians befor
them. Portugal signalized its entr
into the great conflict February 20 b
seizing "a German steamers inferno
in Portuguese ports. Germany deman'
ed the release of the ships and 9
March 8 declared war on Portugal, tt
thirteenth nation to enter the co
6ict.
The month Of March was markt
chiefly by the continued determined O
tacks Of the Germans upon Nerdu
The assault entered it's third stage
this month with repeated attacks
Vaux, Douaumont and other outlyil
towns. most Of which were repuls'
with terrific losses. During the mon
the Italians finally checked the Az
trian drive and launched a big Offe
sive along the entire Austrian frol
The Russians continued their victo
Gus drive against the Turks In A
MONT, capturing Bitlis on March
and other important towns later In t
month.
The early days of April saw a slo
ing up of the Russian offensive in Z
Hcia. The Germans launched a col
ter offensive all along the Russi
front but gained little headway. 4
following months saw terrific fight
along this front. April %. the Britt
admitted q defeat at the hands Of
Turks In Mesopotamia and on Ap
%, General Townshend and 10000 Bl
ish soldiers, who had been besieged
the Turks at Kut-elAmara, WI
forced to surrender after repeated
forts to relieve them had failed.
Great Sea Battle Fought.
The first great naval battle of
war was fought by the German q
British high seas fleets off the coast
Jutland, Denmark, May 81. The b
ish admit the loss Of six large cruis
and eight destroyers, the Germans
battleship. one battle cruiser and
number Of light cruisers and destroye
More than 1900 lives were lost. b
sides claim the victory. Five days la
Great Britain received a stagger
blow when the British cruiser HaI
shire was blown up In the North
By q mine and Earl Kitchener, Brit
secretary of war, and his entire st
were lost. During the early part