Gilpin observer., 1918-01-03
THE WORLD WAR.

most sanguinary fighting in history,
the great nations of the world, togeth-
or with many of the smaller ones, are
still at death grips, with less prospect
Of an early peace than was thought to
exist 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 q
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
have been occurrences of a political ma
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
Gear 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 d.
rectly responsible for the entry of the
United States into the war; the Brit
ish 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; the Ital-
Ian offensive against Austria from
Tolmino to the Adriatic and the SUBJ
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
fn lntA thA ia Intt <,f
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
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 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 8.
The Cunard liner Laconia was sunk
without warning off the Irish coast
February 20 with the loss of 13 lives,
including those OF two American wom-
en-.
On February 2S, II was announced
that the United States government was
In possession Of n 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, and to suggest that
as soon as war with the United States
was certain, the president of Mexico
communicate with Japan, Offering to
mediate between Japan and Germany.
As reward Mexico was promised gen.
eral financial support from Germany
and the reconquest of lost territory In
Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.
The United States department Of
state announced, March Il, that II
had determined TO place armed guards
upon all American merchant vessels
sailing through the German war zone.
March Ia, 1t was learned that the
American steamship Algonquin had
been sunk without warning by a Ger.
man submarine. On the same day
China severed diplomatic relations
with Germany and seized German mer.
chant ships in the harbor at Shanghai
czar Nicholas Dethroned.
On March 10, the Russian revolu.
ti0nnry movement, which had begun
with food riots and strikes, eliminated
In the abdication Of Gar Nicholas both
for himself and his son. Pending the
meeting Of constituent assembly the
government was vested in the execu
tive committee Of the Duma and q
newly chosen council of ministers Will