nd destroyers. Never, thereafter, during the war did
the German ships venture out of the Bight of Helgoland.

AUGUST 1, 1916-AUGUST 1, 1917

This year was marked by two dramatic episodes. The first of these was
the sudden entrance and the equally sudden exit of Roumania as a factor
in the World War.

The second was the appearance of the United States which became the
deciding factor in the war.

Roumania created enthusiasm in Allied countries when it declared war on
Austria-Hungary August 27th. A sudden descent by a Roumanian army into
Transylvania on August 30th was hailed as the harbinger of further
successes. These hopes were turned to ashes when von Mackensen headed an
irresistible German and Austrian rush which fairly inundated Roumania.
The retreat from Transylvania by the Roumanians was turned into a rout.
Bulgarian forces invaded the Dobrudja region of Roumania and on November
28th the seat of the Roumanian Government was transferred from
Bucharest, the capital, to Jassy. Roumania ceased to be a factor in the
war on December 6th, when Bucharest fell to von Mackensen. Emperor Franz
Josef of Austria-Hungary died on November 22d, while Austrian hopes were
at their highest.

America's appearance as a belligerent was forecast on January 31, 1917,
when Germany announced its intention of sinking all vessels in a
blockade zone around the British Isles. Count von Bernstorff was handed
his passports on February 3d, and on April 2d President Wilson, in a
remarkable address to Congress, advised a declaration of war by the
United States against Germany. This was consummated by a formal vote of
Congress declaring war on April 6th.

This action by America was followed by the organization of a Council of
National Defense. Under this body the resources of the nation were
mobilized. The council was later virtually abandoned as an organizing
factor, its functions going to the War Industries Board, presided over
by Bernard Baruch; the Fuel Administration, under Dr. Harry A. Garfield;
the War Trade Board, with Vance C. McCormick at its head; and other
governmental bodies. George Creel headed the Committee on Public
Information.

Conscription was decided upon as the foundation of America's war-making
policy, and the training of officers and privates in great training
camps was commenced. Great shipping and aircraft programs were
formulated and the nation as a whole was placed upon a war footing.

The Russian revolution be