GERMAN SUBMARINE REACHES BALTIMORE
On July 9, the German merchant submarine Deutschland, in command of Capt. Koenig, slipped into port at Baltimore, after eluding British warships in the North Sea, English Channel, and Atlantic. The Deutschland carried as cargo nearly a million dollars' worth of dyestuffs, as well as important mail. The owners announced that she was the first of a regular fleet to be placed in service between German and American ports, to thwart the British blockade. She made the 4,000-mile voyage in sixteen days, including nine hours during which, according to her captain, she lay at the bottom of the Channel to escape capture. On July 25 she was preparing for her return voyage with a cargo said to consist largely of crude rubber and nickel, having been accepted by the United States Government as an innocent merchantman and granted clearance papers on that basis. Outside the Virginia capes, beyond the three-mile limit, British and French cruisers awaited her possible appearance, with the hope of effecting her capture. But it was announced in Germany that the Deutschland reached her home port safely Aug. 23.
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
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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