CANADIANS STRENGTHEN THEIR FRONTS

Along the portion of the western battle front held by Canadian troops, there were frequent heavy bombardments by the enemy during the month of July, but the gallant soldiers of the Dominion consolidated their positions won in battle at Loos and elsewhere, and fully held their own.  In trench mortar fighting their batteries maintained the upper hand, often returning six shells for one thrown by the Germans.  The Canadian patrols were very active; every night reconnaissances were made all along the Canadian front, and numerous hostile working parties engaged in strengthening German trenches and entanglements were dispersed by Canadian rifle fire.

On July 8, in the gardens of Kensington Palace, London, Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, presented to General Steele, for the Canadian forces, a silken Union Jack and a silver shield, given by the women and children of the British Isles in acknowledgment of Canada’s good will and valuable co-operation.  The Princess made a short address expressing high admiration and enthusiastic appreciation of the eager readiness with which the officers and men of Canada had come forward to take their share in the cause of the Empire.  General Steele, in receiving the gifts, returned thanks on behalf of the Canadian troops.

NEW RUSSIAN DRIVE NEAR RIGA

On July 24, General Kuropatkin began a new Russian drive in the battle sector south of Riga.  After making a preliminary breach in the German lines, Kuropatkin drove in a wedge of fresh troops which swept Marshal von Hindenburg’s German forces back along a front of 30 miles, and to a depth at one point of 12 miles.  The attack was preceded by a bombardment lasting four days, which battered into ruins the German defense along the coast line from the Gulf of Riga to Uxhull.  The Kaiser and his chief of staff recognized the importance of General Kuropatkin’s advance by hastening to the Eastern battle front on July 25.

TWO TEARS’ WAR CASUALTIES

Killed.        Wounded.        Missing. 
Russia           1,200,000     2,500,000      2,000,000
Germany            900,000     1,900,000        150,000
France             850,000     1,500,000        325,000
Austro-Hungary     475,000     1,000,000        900,000
Great Britain      160,000       450,000         70,000
Turkey              75,000       200,000         75,000
Serbia              60,000       125,000         75,000
Italy               50,000       100,000         30,000
Belgium             30,000        70,000         50,000
Bulgaria             5,000        25,000          5,000
_________        _________      _________    __________
Total            3,805,000     7,870,000      3,680,000

THE STRUGGLE ON THE SOMME