One of the most tragic events of the war occurred on June 5th, 1916,
Lord Kitchener being drowned while on his way to Russia. Politically
there were happenings of great importance, one of the principal being
the resignation of Mr. Asquith as Prime Minister and the acceptance of
office by Mr. Lloyd George, whose work as Minister of Munitions had
brought him into much prominence in matters relative to the conduct of
the war.
Early in 1917 the United States, after long deliberation, threw in
her lot with the Allied cause, followed by Central and South America.
Later Greece, chiefly through the influence of Venezelos, compelled
King Constantine, the friend of Germany, to abdicate and enter the war
on the side of the Allies; while China and Siam followed the example
of Japan and protested practically against German lust for world
power. Throughout the year there was heavy fighting on the Western
front. In April the British captured Vimy Ridge, in June they annexed
Messines Ridge, and in November took part in a magnificent episode at
Passchendaele. By these operations they became masters of commanding
positions, and for the first time the feeling was encouraged that the
Allies were on the way to victory.