The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-07-31

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mentous setbacks, both 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 after fore
ed retirement from terrain which they
had won in earlier days at tremend
Gus 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
its Allies has been furthered by po-
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
sia and Constantine of Greece In
Russia autocracy has given way to a
Republic In Greece a kingdom re-
mains but not a pro-Teutonic one, En-
tente pressure having won supremacy
in this part of the Balkans.
Political events within the German
and Austrian Empires, featured by
the fall of Chancellor Won Bcthmann-
Hollweg, have led to open discussions
of peace in the German Reichstag as
the fourth year dawns.
In Great Britain, the third year
closed with Winston Spencer Church
i'll, former First Lord of the Admiral
ty, returned to the Cabinet with the
portfolio of Minister of Munitions.
Portugal and Rumania threw in
| their furtunes with the Entent shortly
after the third year began. The Unit
| ed States entered in April, followed
| by Cuba and Liberia. Panama pledg-
ed the United States her aid in de-
/ tending the Panama Canal. Costa Ri
ca put her naval bases at our dispos-
al. China, Bolivia, Guatemala and
Brazil severed diplomatic relations
with Germany. Uruguay expressed
her sympathy for the United States,
Late in July, Siam entered the war
against the Central Powers.
Three new nations were born dur
ing the year. Poland was created a
kingdom under German and Austrian
direction. In Mecca the Arabians ov-
erthrew Turkish rule and declared in
dependence. In the Balkans, liberty
was restored to Albania which was
established as a republic under Ital.
ian political protection sand with
French military aid.
An estimate made two months be
fore the end of the third year-voic
ed by Arthur Henderson, of the Brit
ish War Council-placed the number
of men killed at 100000 since Au
gust, 1914. French General Headquar
ters recently estimated 100000 Ger
mans had been killed up to March
Mr.. Henderson estimated the total
casualties at more than 45,000,000.
The first and second American con
tingents of troops landed in France
on June 2G and 27.
Nearly 100000 Americans of mill
tary age registered on June under
the selective draft law, and from these
are being selected the men who will
comprise the great army contingents
which America is planning to sent
to Europe.
In cementing Americas association
: with the nations now her allies, nun
orOus exchanges of missions were ar
ranged. France, Great Britain, Ital,
Belgium, Russia and other Entente
, belligerents sent delegations to the
United States as step toward uni
fication, military financial and other
wise The United States sent mis-
, sions to Russia and other countries
t Fighting on the Western from
} during the third year of the war ma.
roughly he divided into SIX phases
, two in the latter part of 1916 befor,
winter called halt; and four afte
, the Entente offensive was resumed il
the early spring.
, At the close of the second year th
= Germans were still unwilling to con
cede failure in the operations center
ing on Verdun. After August 3, 1916
the French gained the ascendency
eliminating in the retaltng of Douau
ThiamOnt and Fort Vaux, with thous
ands of prisoners and many guns. b.
, November the French had once NOR
, come into possession of the complet
, circle of the Verdun defences.
The second phase dates back to tn
commencement of the Franco-Britisl
offensive-the first Battle of the Son
, me-in July OF 1916. BY mid-Septen
, ber this had reached such propol
: tiOnS that the Germans were cred