The Monticellonian., 1918-01-04
THE WORLD WAR.

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 time when definite military decision can be obtained.
 There have been 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 q political na- ture which have had far-reaehing eff feet upon the titanic conflict.
 Chief among the political upheavals of the year was the Russian revolution which resulted in the overthrow of Czar 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 CTS. From military standpoint the chief events of the year have been the launching of the German ruthless submarine campaign, which was di- rectly responsible for the entry of the United States into the war; the Brit fsh offensives on the west front, first in the Arras sector, later in Flanders and still ia.er on the 35-mile front be- tween Arras and St. Quentin; the ItaI ian offensive against Austria from Toimino to the Adriatic and the sub sequent offensive of the Germans and Austrians against Italy, which resulted in the overrunning of northern Italy A. the Teutonic allies.
 le entry of China. Cuba, Brazil,
 and other countries into the war
 e side of the entente allies, the
 hrow of King Constantine of
 ,e on the demand of France and
 lilies and other events important
 themselves were overshadowed by De 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 annihilation of Roumania and attention was centerea upon the request that had been made by President Wilson that the various bellfgerent 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 22 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 31, Germany announced the inauguration of ruthless submarine warfare.
 President Wilson acted promptly, severing diplomatic relations with Germany on February 3.
 The Cunard liner Laconia was sunk withou. warning off the Irish coast February 25 with the loss of 13 lives. including those of two American wom- en.
 On February 2S, 1t was announced that the United States government was dressed by the German foreign minis ter to the German minister at Mex leo City, instruoting him to pro- pose an alliance between Germany and Mexico, and to suggest that hs soon as war with the United States was certain, the president of Mexico communicate with Japan, offering to mediate between Japan and Germany. As a reward Mexico was promised gen. eral financial support from Germany md the reeonQuest of lost territory in Texas. New Mexico and Arizona.
 The United States House of Repre- sentatiyes, March l. passed the Flood bill. giving the president the right to arm American merchant ships, but the measure died with the Sixty-fourth congress on March as a result of tilibuster engineered by q dozen mem- bers of the senate.
 President Wilson entered upon his second term March and in his in- augural address on the following day took stand in favor of armed neu- trulity.
 The United States department of state announced, March 12, that 1t had determined to place armed guards upon all American merchant vessels sailing through the German war zone. March II. 1t was learned that the American steamship Algonquin had been sunk without warning by Ger man submarine. On the same day China severed diplomatic relations with Germany and seized German mer- chant ships in the harbor at Shanghai.
 ezar Nicholas Dethroned.
 On March i5, the Russian reyolu- tienary movement. which had begun with food riots and strikes. eliminated In the abdieation of Car Nicholas both Tor himself and his son. Pending the meeting of constituent assembly the government was vested in tie execu- tive committee of the Duma and newly chosen council of ministers with Prince Lyoff as premier.
 The German forces on the west