The Washington herald., 1918-01-01

kr; Russia has withdrawn. De-
lsive resources of the former are not
Yyet available. but the action of the
latter has released Teutonic troops
for service elsewhere, and a diversion
Of Russian raw materials to the CEN
tral powers is imminent. On Christ
mas Day the Teutonic powers made
a peace offer as a basis for negotia-
tons
The German retreat on the western
front last spring surrendered some
French territory which the Germans
had found difficult to maintain, and
there the war Of attrition continues
without any indication of a decisive
result Some of the troops released
from the eastern front are beginning
to operate there; they have already
effectively operated on the Italian
front, occupying nearly all of the
Regione Of Veneto. In Albania and
Macedonia the troops of the allies
have been practically inactive; Ru-
mania can hardly oppose longer Rus
sian and Austrian peace influences;
the new regime in Greece is not yet
Of military value.
But outside of Europe, where the
fate Of the war cannot possibly be
decided. the gains of the allies have
been immense; all OF Germany's CO.
lonial possessions are now in their
hands; Jerusalem, the Holy City, has
been captured; measurable success
has attended the operations of the
Anglo-Indian force in Mesopotamia
with the capture OF Bagdad, although
later handicapped by the inactivity of
the Russian armies in Armenia and
Persia
Seventeen nations are now at war
with Germany. To her declaration
of war against that empire the United
states recently added war on Austria
Hungary The former declaration
made American treasure instantly
available to the allies, measurably
augmented their supplies. gave def
mite promises OF increased man pow
er, but. more than all increased the
tonnage of the Atlantic transport
service-a valuable asset, since it has
been calculated that the loss of ton
mage through enemy U-boats will
amount to over 100000 for the year.
The United States entered the war
in the following circumstances, as far
as the current year is concerned, for,
at the end Of the previous year Ger
many had indicated through neutral
Chancelleries that she was willing to
meet her enemies at a peace confer
ence and the President of the United
States had asked the belligerents for
their war aims:
January 11-Allies' reply to President
Wilson's note published; their
statement Of terms includes ade-
quate compensation for Belgium,
Serbia. and Montenegro, evacua-
France, Russia, and Rumania, re-
organization of Europe on basis of
nationality, with liberation of en-
shaved Italians, Slavs, Rumanians,
Czechs, and Slovaks, and the turn
ing Of the Turks out of Europe; it
does not include determination or
political extinction OF the Ger
manic peoples.
January 17-Covering note from Mr.
Balfour to allied reply to President
Wilson published: reasons given
for belief that durable peace can
only be based on the success of
the allied cause.
January 2-President Wilson'S speech
in United States Senate on peace;
disapproval Of a peace based on
victory of either belligerent alll-
ance.
January 31-Germany's announcement
to neutTals of a policy of ''unre-
stricted naval warfare" from Feb
Tuary 1: all sea traffic to be pre-
vented in wide zones around Great
Britain. France, Italy and in East
ern Mediterranean: United States
to be allowed access to Falmouth
with one steamer per week, and a
Dutch paddle steamer to be allow
Cd fn nj L1nEhinp and
SOuthwold; German Chancellor ex-
plains and justifies the policy; his
firmer attitude toward submarine
warfare only pro tempore; time
has now come with increased num-
ber OF submarines, world shortage
of corn and shortage of coal in
France and Italy to wage unre-
stricted submarine war.
February 3-Diplomatic relations he
tween United States and Germany
broken OF; Count BernstoSf given
his passports and Mr.. Gerard re-
called from Berlin: all neutrals ex-
pected by Washington to follow
same course.
February APresident wilson's note to
neutrals registering his belief that
the cause of civilization would be
furthered by their taking action
similar to his. and inviting them
to do so.
February 12-President Wilson'S re-
fusaI to reopen negotiations with
Germany until she withdraws her
submarine proclamation of Janu-
airy 81.
February 2S-Associated Press makes
known the contents of a note
signed by Zimmerman. German
foreign secretary, addressed to the
German Ambassador to Mexico.
proposing an alliance with Mexico
in the event OF war between the
United States and Germany; Mex
leo is to receive financial aid and
the Territory of New Mexico, Ari-
zona and Texas; Japan is to be
invited to Join.
March 6-Austria- Hungary in note
seems to stand by U-boat arrange
ment ante-January 81.
March 2-United States first to recog-
nize new government in Russia
March 24-United States Minister to
Belgium Brand Whitlock ordered
to leave country.
March 8-United States declines Ger
man proposals Of February 10 to
reinterpret Prussian treaty of 1873.
April 2.-President Wilson asks Con-
gress to declare that a state OF
war exists with Germany.
April S-President Wilson signs Joint
resolution of Congress declaring
that Germany has forced the
United States into the war. The
Senate had passed the resolution
So TO SON Aprl 4; the House-57s |
to 0-on April 6.
Money.