res and charts illustrative of
trench warfare, and of devastated areas of Belgium and
France. 4. Explain fully the influence of geography upon the
campaigns of 1914. 5. Define neutrality; guarantee; treaty.
6. On an outline map of Europe indicate the countries
fighting against Germany at the close of 1914. Indicate those
fighting on the side of Germany at that time. Indicate the
date when each of these countries entered the war. Draw a
line showing the farthest German advance into France, and the
farthest Russian advance into Germany and Austria (map, page
124). 7. What might have been the consequences if the
Belgians had not resisted the German invasion? 8. Describe
the German effort to reach the French coast in 1914. What
would have been the probable consequences of its success? 9.
What was the purpose of the English blockade of Germany? How
did this blockade affect the rights of neutrals? Find out
what the United States government did in the matter.

REFERENCES.--_War Cyclopedia_ (C.P.I.); _Study of the Great
War_ (C.P.I.); McKinley, _Collected Materials for the Study
of the War; National School Service_, Vol. I, No. 3 (C.P.I.);
_New York Times History of the European War_.

FOOTNOTES:

[2] In an interview with the British ambassador, as reported by the
ambassador August 4, 1914.

CHAPTER IX

THE WAR IN 1915

THE WESTERN FRONT.--The deadlock which existed on the western front at
the close of 1914 continued with little change during the year 1915.
There were indeed many contests which, on account of the men involved
and the casualties, would in previous wars have been considered major
engagements; but in spite of great preparations neither side was able to
make much impression upon the entrenched line of the enemy. From the sea
to the Swiss border two apparently impregnable lines of trenches faced
each other.

German ingenuity and barbarity were shown in two new forms of warfare
introduced during this year. Poison gas was first used, contrary to the
terms of the Hague Conventions, against the Allied line on April 22,
1915. It brought on the most horrible forms of suffering and torture,
and compelled a temporary withdrawal of the French and English from
trenches near Ypres (eepr). Later, masks were used as a preventive of
gas poisoning. Eventually the Allies were forced to adopt the use of
poisonous gases in bombs and she