The Monticellonian., 1919-01-10
HOW THE WAR WAS WON

The year opened with the opinion generally prevailing that the world war could not he brought ta a cenelu- sion in less than eighteen months. It WIS an open secret that the German high command was planning to make Il supreme effort on the western front. and during the early days of 1glS if was known that many divisions nf German troops, released from the Rus sian front. were being transferred to the west front in preparation for the grand offensive
 Interest during these days cenfered in events that were trunspiring in Russia and in long range pence discus sions in which President Wilson and Chancellor von Hp.ting figured On January President Wilson, in an ad- dress to congress, promulgated the famous "14 points" which he declared should form the basis of world peace
 In Russia Premier Lenine and For eign Minister Trotzky iuurenched themselves in power by dissolving the constituent assembly which met at pe- trograd January IS On January 2l an all-Russian congress of Soyiets was convened to repIaee the constituent as sembly. There was little activity on any front during the month. but on January 90 it was announced officially that American troops were holding front-line trenches in France. occupy ing sector northwest of Foul.
 The Americans holding this sector received their baptism of ire when they repulSed Il vigorous German raid. The Americans lost two Killed. four wounded and one missing. On Febru- ary the steamer Tuscania. carrying 2.179 American soldiers. was terre- doed and sunk. With loss ef fa9 lives. On February the UkHine signed separate treaty of peace with the central powers
 Conditions la Russia continued to he chaotic. The holsheeiki declared the war with Germany over Gat re- fused ta sign the peace treaty demand cd by Germany. The Germau> there upon renewed EesuljtieS aeut5lst Rms. Sia, capturing ReFat. Russian uavai base, and advancing oo hetrogratt l.e- niue and frotzky then announced chat Russia Was forced to accept the= Ger man pence terms. On March fhp Russian delegates at EreStI.itaxsk signed the peace treaty 4tf1h esefmafiy. providing for the crSSiaa of I v.fsf area of Russian territory. the payment of q big indemnity and The dtShandius of the Russian army and nuvl On March r an a}l-KusSian Sovfef eoo- gress assembled at Moscow and TWO days later ratified the peace with the central powers
 Germans Begin Great Drive.
 On March T the ong=heralaed Of fenslve of the Germans was launched A terrific blow was delivered against The British lines ou from of more than 3e miles, extending from the Riv- er 0ise, near La Eere 10 the SeHsee river, about Cr0iselleS Wave after wave of the finest German troops were hurled at the British lines. and in n few days had advanced II miles. The British Fifth army at the point where fl touched the French lines was rout- ed and for a time the allies faced dis aster The Germans continued to push southwark and at the end of F days had advanced 1T miles from La Fere and were within six miles of AmienS. Here the advance was halted. In the meantime. on March %. the allies. fac ing a catastrophe, at last agreed upon q unificatien of command and General Foch. the brilliant French leader. was placed in supreme command of aii the allied armies.
 few days after the launching of