Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1918-01-04
THE WORLD WAR.

the great nations of the world, tOgeth-
er with many of the smaller ones, are
still at death grips, with less prospect
of an early peace than was thought to
exist a year ago.
Undoubtedly the greatest develop
ment of the year was the entrance of |
the United States of America into the |
conflict. The throwing of the tre-
mendous resources and man power Of |
the American republic into the balance |
on the side Of the entente allies, in the |
opinion Of military experts, has more |
than offset the advantages gained by
Germany and her allies during the past
twelve months and has made possible
the continuance of the conflict until a
time when a definite military decision
can be obtained.
There have been a half dozen or
more outstanding events in the past
year. Some Of these have been OF
purely military significance and others
have been occurrences of a political na-
ture which have had far-reaching ef-
feet upon the titanic conflict.
Chief among the political upheavals
of the year was the Russian revolution
which resulted in the overthrow of
Gar Nicholas and eliminated during
the closing months of the year in a
counter-revolution which practically
eliminated Russia from the ranks of
the nations opposed to the central pow
ers. From military standpoint the
chief events Of the year have been
the launching of the German ruthless
submarine campaign, which was dl-
rectly responsible for the entry of the
United States into the war; the Brit
isA offensives on the west front, first
In the Arras sector, later in Flanders
and still later on the 35-mile front be-
tween Arras and st. Quentin 1.-THE Ital-
ian offensive against Austria from
Tolmino to the Adriatic and the sub
sequent offensive of the Germans and
Austrians against Italy, which resulted
in the Overrunning of northern Italy
by the Teutonic allies.
The entry Of China, Cuba. Brazil,
Siam and other countries into the war
on the side of the entente allies, the
overthrow of King Constantine of
Greece on the demand of France and
her allies and other events important
in themselves were overshadowed by
the greater developments of the year.
American Peace Effort Fails.
AS the year opened the only military
movements of importance in progress
were those aimed by Germany and her
allies TO complete the humiliation of
Roumania and attention was centered
upon the request that had been made
by President Wilson that the various
belligerent nations state the terms up
on which peace might be discussed
The replies seemed to preclude any
further action by the United States as
a peacemaker, but on January % Pres
ident Wilson in an address before the
senate laid down the principles which
he declared should guide the United
States in participating in a league to
enforce peace at the close of the pres
ent war.
On January 81, Germany announced
the Inauguration Of ruthless submarine
warfare.
President Wilson acted promptly,
severing diplomatic relations with
Germany on February 3.
The Cunard liner Laconla was sunk
without warning off the Irish coast
February 20 with the loss of 13 lives
including those Of two American WON
en-.
On February %, 1t was announced
that the United States government was
in possession Of communication ad
dressed by the German foreign minis
ter to the German minister at Mex
leo City, instruotlng him to pro
pose an alliance between Germany
and Mexico, aud to suggest thai
as soon as war with the United States
was certain, the president of Mexic,
communicate with Japan, offering t,
mediate between japan and Germany
As a reward Mexico was promised gen
eral financial support from German,
and the reconquest of lost territory II
Texas. New Mexico and Arizona.
The United States House of Repre-
sentatives, March 1, passed the Floo
bill, giving the president the right t
arm American merchant ships, bu
the measure died with the Sixty-fourt
congress on March as a result of
filibuster engineered by a dozen men
5ers of the senate.
President Wilson entered upon hi
second term March 4 and in his il
augural address on the following da
took q stand in favor of armed mel
irality.
The United States department {
Etate announced, March u, that
had determined to place armed guarC
ayon ell American merchant vesse
calling through the German war zon
March -, 1t was learned that Il
American steamship Algonquin hs
been sunk without warning by a &c
man submarine. On the same di
China severed diplomatic relation
with Germany and seized German me
chant ships in the harbor at Shanghi
Gar Nicholas Dethroned.
On March 10, the Russian revol
tionary movement, which had begl
with food riots and strikes, culminat
In the abdication of Gear Nicholas bo
for himself and his son. Pending &
meeting of a constituent assembly I
government was vested in the exec
tive committee of the Duma and
rcvlv chosen council of ministers wi
~ 20 Lvom as premier.
Ihe German forces on the We
front. on March II, began genel
retirement on a front of S5 miles fro
south Of Arras to scissors, fall
back TO new lines which had been pl
pared.
The relations between Germany a
UAIcCp'c pIpTu HAIIcEn I(