The vigilance of our convoying agencies continued throughout the war and was one of the high spots of excellence reached in our part of the struggle.

Of a total of over 2,000,000 soldiers transported to France and many thousands returned on account of sickness and furloughs, only 661 were lost as a direct result of German submarine operations.
On December 7, the United States declared war against Austria-Hungary.
This was largely on the insistence of Italy and was valuable and gratifying to that ally.
President Wilson on December 26, issued a proclamation taking over the railroads of the country, W.G.McAdoo was appointed director general.
The proclamation went into effect two days later and the entire rail transportation system, for the first time in the history of the nation, passed under the control and management of the government.
Excepting the revolution in Russia which led to the abdication of Czar Nicholas II (March 11-15) and so disorganized the country that it never figured effectively in the war afterwards, the year was one of distinct advantage to the Allies.
Kut el Amara was retaken by the British February 24.

Bagdad fell to the same forces March 11.

From March 17th to 19th the Germans retired to the "Hindenburg Line" evacuating a strip of territory in France 100 miles long and averaging 13 miles in width, from Arras to Soissons.

Between April 9 and May 14, the British had important successes in the Battle of Arras, capturing Vimy Ridge April 9.