The eventual place the American army should take on the western front was to a large extent influenced by the vital question of communication and supply.

In 1917 - as we have seen, - Italy suffered a great reverse, losing 200,000 soldiers and immense supplies.

Genius has no age, no country, no race; it belongs to mankind.

To meet the shortage of supplies from America, due to lack of shipping, the representatives of the different supply departments were constantly in search of available material and supplies in Europe.

The success of the Allies in the west was in a measure offset by Teutonic victories in the east. When the invasion of Belgium began, Russia made immediate efforts to counteract by invasion of East Prussia.

In the early days of his reign, Bismarck confided to a friend that it would some day be necessary for Germany to confine William II in an insane asylum.

The collapse of Russia was the second great event of 1917.