The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-07-28
SEVEN M|LL|ONK|LLED
Associated Press Estimate of Loss
Since War Opened in July,
Other Features
AMERICAS ENTRY Is
OUT STANDING FEATURE
Military and Political Setbacks
for Central Powers Noted in
Survey
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

The third year of the world war
closes with the fortunes of conflict IA
,vOring the Entente except for uncer-
tainty as to the outcome of the Rus
sian situation.
The military situation of the En-
tente Allies on the western front at
the end of the third year of the war
Is regarded by competent authorities
here actually better than it was
year ago and better by reason of the
Intervention of the United States.
The great change Of the relative posi-
tion of the Allies was brought about
by the evacuation of a part of France
by the Germans. This retirement
which was announced in Germany has
turned out to have been simply a re-
treat, so that the German lines might
be- shortened and held by fewer divi.
sions. Wherever the lines have NOV
ed in the west they have moved to-
ward Germany The allies measure
their success not by the ground gain
ed but by the fact the Germans have
had to endure shock after shock and
in doing SO have lost. rv ~
Reserves Diminished ~
The German reserves in the belief
Of French authorities have diminished
during the war by about 100000 or
at an average rate of 100000 per
month. The German wastage during
April, May and June, is placed at up
wards of hundred and fifty thou.
sand a month, the casualties rising
during May, according to German ad-
missions, to 100000 not counting
those slightly wounded, who may be
able to return to service.
The situation on the Russian front
is the cause of deep concern, but It
is not regarded here as possible for
Germany to spare many more troops
from the eastern front for action in
the west than already had oeen
brought up, hence it is believed that
under the worst possible circum-
stances the fighting power Of Ger
many cannot be- greatly increased at
this front.
France and Great Britain count on
the American army to be in operation
under more favorable circumstances
than in any spring since the war be-
gan. The British army in France is
delivering powerful blows which can
be maintained indefinitely. ~
! The Central Powers sustained mo-
mentous setbacks, both military and
political, during the twelve months.
On both the Western fronts in
Europe, the Teutons find themselves
on the defensive at the advent of the
fourth year. They fight on lines new
ly established after forced retirement
from terrain which they had won in
earlier days at tremendous sacrifice.
Entry of United States
Meanwhile new enemy powers, no.
tably 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 politi-
cal 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 q
Republic. In Greece kingdom re-
mains, but not pro-Teutonic one,
Entente pressure having won suprem-
acy in this part of the Balkans.
Political events within the German
and Austrian Empires, featured by
the fall of Chancellor Won Bethmanu-
Holweg, 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
ill, former First Lord of the Admir-
atty, returned to the cabinet with the
portfolio of Minister of Munitions.
Portugal and Rumania
Portugal and Rumania threw in
their fortunes with the Entente short
ly after the third year began. The
United States entered in April, fol-,
lowed by Cuba and Liberia Panama
pledged the United States her aid in
defending the Panama Canal. Costa
Rica put her naval bases at our dis
posal. 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
kingdom under German and Austrian
direction. In Mecca. the Arabians
overthrew Turkish rule and declared
independence. In the Balkans, lib
erty was restored to Albania, which
was established as republic under