Gilpin observer., 1918-01-03

Georg Michaelis. On July %, Slam
declared war against Germany, and
Austria Hungary, bringing the number
Of the allied nations to sixteen.
British Launch Great Offensive.
The British launched their second
great offensive of the year on the
Flanders front on July 81, attacking
on 20-mile front from Dixmude to
Warneton, after three weeks of in
tense artillery preparation. The Brit
ish forced their way into the German
lines to depth of two to two and a
half miles, taking ten villages and
more than 5000 prisoners.
Pope Benedict, on August II, trans
mitted peace proposals to all belliger-
ent and neutral governments.
The italian forces opened a grand
offensive on August 10, attacking on
a front 40 miles long from Tolmino to
the Adriatic sea. On August 25, the
Italians captured Monte Santo, an Aus
trian stronghold on the Isonzo front.
Two more nations entered the war on
the side of the allies in August. Ii
IBERIA declaring war on Germany Aug
ust z, and China declaring war on
both Germany and Austria Hungary
August IA. On August %, President
Wilson's reply to the peace proposals
of Pope Benedict was made public. 1t
declared that tive cannot take the
word of the present rulers of Germany
as guarantee Of anything that is to
endure, unless explicitly supported by
such conclusive evidence of the will
and purpose of the German people
themselves as the other peoples Of
the world would be justified in accept
Ing" Other allied governments later
adopted President Wilson's note as
their own reply to the pope.
Early in September the Italians con-
tinued to make progress in their drive
on the Isonzo front, announcing on
September 1 the capture of IA strongly
fortified mountains, causing an H.
mile breach in the Austrian lines and
resulting in the capture of 27,OOO pris-
oners.
Chaos Threatens In Russia.
Conditions in Russia grew more cha
otto during the month of September.
Of the Russian armies, on September
10 demanded that all civil and mill
tary powers be placed in his hands,
Premier Kerensky Immediately de-
posed General Korniloff and civil war
threatened as Korniloff, at ttR head
Of large force Of troops, marched on
Petrograd. The rebellion collapsed,
however, on September 13 when
General Korniloff agreed to surrender
to General Alexieff, chief Of staff Of
the Russian army.
The first American casualties in
France were announced on September
4, when four Americans were killed
in a German raid on American hos
pitals in France. Americas war prepa-
rations were continued rapidly, the
first contingent Of five per cent of the
new National army arriving at their
environments September s.
The replies of Germany and Austria
Hungary to Pope Benedict's peace pro-
posals were made public September 21.
They accepted the pope's offer as ba-
sis for the beginning of negotiations,
but made no definite concessions.
Italians Driven Back.
The great Austro-G German offensive
against the Italians was launched
along the IsonZo front October "a, and
within ten days the Teuton forces had
retaken all the territory won by the
Italians In two months fighting and
had overrun all of northern Italy.
The United States began to take n
more active part in the fighting during
October, the first American troops 60
ing into the first line trenches in
France on October %. On October II
the American transport Antilles, re-
turning from France, was torpedoed
and sunk, with loss of 81 lives. The
second American Liberty loan of
$4,000, 100000 closed October q with
an oversubscription of nearly S2,OOO,-
100000. Several more South Ameri-
can nations took decided stand in
favor Of the allies in October. Peru
broke Off diplomatic relations with
Germany October 6 and Uruguay took
similar action the following day. On
October 20 Brazil declared the exist
ence of a state Of war with Germany.
There were evidences of internal dis
turbances in Germany during the
month, mutiny of German sailors mt
Ostend being reported October IS. On
October 30 Count George Won Hertling
was made imperial chancellor of Ger
many. Chancellor Michaelis having re-
signed.
On the sea the chief event Of the
month was the sinking by two German
raiders of two British destroyers and
IL Scandinavian merchantmen they
were conveying in the North sea on
October II. On October 81 the Ameri-
can transport Finland, returning from
France, was struck by torpedo and
eight men were killed.
Italians Stop Invaders.
Big events crowded fast upon eoch