President Wilson on December 26, issued a proclamation taking over the railroads of the country, W.G.  McAdoo was appointed director general.  The proclamation went into effect two days later and the entire rail transportation system, for the first time in the history of the nation, passed under the control and management of the government.

Excepting the revolution in Russia which led to the abdication of Czar Nicholas II (March 11-15) and so disorganized the country that it never figured effectively in the war afterwards, the year was one of distinct advantage to the Allies.

Kut el Amara was retaken by the British February 24.  Bagdad fell to the same forces March 11.  From March 17th to 19th the Germans retired to the “Hindenburg Line” evacuating a strip of territory in France 100 miles long and averaging 13 miles in width, from Arras to Soissons.  Between April 9 and May 14, the British had important successes in the Battle of Arras, capturing Vimy Ridge April 9.  Between April 16 and May 6 the French made gains in the Battle of the Aisne, between Soissons and Reims.  Between May 15 and September 15 occurred an Italian offensive in which General Cadorna inflicted severe defeats on the Austrians on the Carso and Bainsizza plateaus.

The British blew up Messines Ridge, south of Ypres, June 7 and captured 7,500 German prisoners.  June 12 King Constantine of Greece was forced to abdicate and on June 29, Greece entered the war on the side of the Allies.  A mutiny in the German fleet at Wilhelmshaven and Kiel occurred July 30 and a second mutiny September 2.

August 20-24 the French recaptured high ground at Verdun, lost in 1916.  October 23-26 a French drive north of the Aisne won important positions including Malmaison fort.  The Germans retreated from the Chemin de Dames, north of the Aisne, November 2.  Between November 22 and December 13 occurred the Battle of Cambrai in which the British employed “tanks” to break down the wire entanglements instead of the usual artillery preparations.  Bourlon Wood dominating Cambrai was taken November 26.  A surprise counterattack by the Germans December 2, compelled the British to give up one-fourth of the ground gained.  Jerusalem was captured by the British December 9.

The British national labor conference on December 29, approved a continuation of the war for aims similar to those defined by President Wilson.

Aside from the collapse of Russia, culminating in an armistice between Germany and the Bolsheviki government of Russia at Brest-Litovsk, December 15, the most important Teutonic success was in the big German-Austrian counterdrive in Italy, October 24 to December 1.  The Italians suffered a loss of territory gained during the summer and their line was shifted to the Piave river, Asiago plateau and Brenta river.

Brazil declared war on Germany October 26.

CHAPTER VII.