Omaha daily bee., 1917-07-29

town and strougly-defended positions
northwest of Stanisau. On July II
Halicz was taken, thus smashing the
Austro-German front between Brze-
zany and the Carpathians.
Operation is Broadened.
This Russian operation broadened
by mid July so that ie extended from
the Gull of Riga to the Rumanian
front, distance Of 300 miles. The
Germans were reported to be rush
ing troops from the Italian and
French fronts. Widespread enthusi-
asm was created throughout Russia,
and the moral effect on the other
entente powers was tremendous.
Before the third year closed, how
ever, Russia's offensive collapsed.
German spies, anarchists, peace fana-
tics and other agitators succeeded in
destroying the morale of some OF the
Russian troops in Galicia, where a
retreat became necessary when unit
after unit refused to obey orders.
Brzezany, Halicz, Tarnapol, Stanis-
iau and Kalomoa were lost, together
with all remaining ground gained dur
ing the offensive. The Russians sur
rendered many prisoners. heavy guns
and an abundance of supplies and am
munition.
The death penalty was invoked as
check to further INSTRUMENTATION
and the provincial government intro
duced a policy of "blood and iron"
In an effort to avert Disaster
South of the Carpathians and in
the Wilma region there was little dis
affection among the Russian troops.
Italy, declaring war against Ger-
many on August %, began a more
vigorous prosecution OF its earlier Of
fensive against Austria.
With dramatic swiftness the third
army, under the Duke of Aosta,
stormed and captured Gorizia,i hither-
to considered iiaprC Enable. By. Janu-
ary the Italians had captured l,2Qo
square miles. ...
After winter oil artillery duels
Italy resumed its offensive on the
Carso front in the campaign toward
Trieste. Within month the Aus
trian lines were broken from Castag-
nayizza 10 the sea. Italy inflicted
losses OF $4,000 on the Austrians and
lost heavily itself. Austria hurried
reinforcements from the Russian
front.
+ In the Trentino the Italians took
the offensive in me and after ter
rife fighting captured the Austrian
positions on Monte Ortigara and Ag-
nello pass. These they were forced
10 relinquish, however, in the face OF
Austrian counter attacks.
In the Balkans the years military
development saw the occupation OF
Roumaria by the Teutons--a gain
OF great economic value because OF
the oil and grain fields. The Rou-
manian army, reformed, is cooper
ating with the Russians and as the
year closed they were engaged in a
heavy offensive against the Austro-
Germans. Turks and Bulgarians.
Bulgaria won successes OF moder-
ate importance, including the cap
ture Of the Grecian port OF Kavala.
Serbians Open Attack.
The newly-equipped Serbian army
arrived at Saloniki in August and be-
gan an offensive which won Ostrovo,
on the road to Monastir. This Of
| fensive. resumed in the spring with
the cooperation Of entente and Veni-
zelist troops, won MonastN and
Cerna.
In Greece the military moves OF
the entente forces included block
ade of Greece and temporary French
occupation OF Athens.
| A brilliant British campaign In
Mesopotamia accomplished the cap-
ture of Kut-el-Amsra in February and
OF Bagdad. terminus of the Berlin-to-
Bagdad railway, in March. The cap
ture of Bagdad had deep moral eff
feet in the Orient, particularly in Ara
bia, where many natives revolted from
Turkish rule.
Russians operating in Persia took
Hamadan and further north, in Turk
ish Armenia, Russians captured Van
In the Holy Land the British
opened new era in the history of the
east. Their advance has carried them
nearly to GAIA Their objective is
| jerusalem, which the Turks were re-
ported in june to have partly evacu-
| ated.
Few Sea Battles.
! Except for submarine operations,
naval writers have found little to en-
gage their attention during the last
year. F6
! Germany continued to rely on
U-boats. This policy led to unre-
stricted warfare, which drew the
United States into the conflict.
i U-boats destroyed an estimated
4 gross tonnage OF more than 1000, 600
during the year. This included 2,O0O,-
600 flying the British flag sunk from
February Is to July I.
| Americas destroyer fotilla arrived
in British waters in May. Without
the loss OF a ship or a man Ameri-
can warships conveyed the FIRST
American troops 10 France. Two
submarine attacks we're made on the
transports, At least one U-boat was
, sunL American warshtnS took over