at the
end of 1914 was disappointing. Russia's accomplishment consisted of her
victories in Galicia, and, probably more important, the drawing of
German troops from the western front and the consequent weakening of
Germany's offensive in France and Belgium. Russia was no farther on the
road to Berlin than at the opening of the war.

SERBIAN RESISTANCE TO AUSTRIA.--An Austrian attempt to overwhelm
Serbia in the first weeks of the war met with disastrous failure. This
was due to two causes: (1) the brave resistance of the Serbian troops;
(2) the fact that the greater part of the Austrian forces had to be used
for defense against the Russian invaders of Galicia. Serbia after severe
fighting compelled the Austrians to retreat beyond their own boundaries.
Early in September the Serbians took the offensive and began an invasion
of Austria-Hungary. This venture failed, and before long Serbia was once
more resisting the enemy on her own soil. Belgrade fell into Austrian
hands on December 2. It did not long remain in the possession of the
conquerors. On the 14th, it was regained by the Serbians, and the
Austrian armies once more expelled. The little Balkan kingdom seemed to
be holding her own.

TURKEY ENTERS THE WAR.--In the years before the war, Germany had
carefully cultivated the friendship of the Turkish government. By means
of intrigue, she had practically made herself master of that country,
particularly in military matters. The Turkish army had been trained by
Germans, and many of its officers were Germans. Although at the opening
of the war Turkey declared herself neutral, she soon showed herself an
ally of the Central Powers. There is evidence to show that as early as
August 4 she had entered into a secret treaty with Germany. In October
Turkey startled the world by bombarding a Russian port on the Black Sea
and destroying French and Russian vessels at Odessa. These acts were
regarded by Russia as acts of war. A few days later France and Great
Britain declared war on Turkey.

[Illustration: GERMAN COLONIES and locations of early naval
engagements.]

Germany welcomed the entrance of Turkey into the war for two reasons. In
the first place she expected that the Mohammedans under English and
French rule, that is, those living in Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, and
India, would join the Turkish Sultan, the religious head of the
Mohammedan world, and engage in a "Holy War" against Great Britain and
France. In this hope she was