There was a lot, I mean a *LOT* of dispute and controversy about whether or not the US should get into the war on the side of the Allies at the time. Wilson himself seems to have had a mostly neutralist stance, with a favoritism among his cabinet for joining the Allies.

From the Wikipedia page:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ameri...nto_World_War_I

Historians divide the views of American political and social leaders into four distinct groupings—the camps were mostly informal:

The first of these were the Non-Interventionists, a loosely affiliated and politically diverse anti-war movement which sought to keep the United States out of the war altogether. Members of this group tended to view the war as a clash between British imperialism and German militarism, both of which they regarded as equally corrupt. Others were pacifists, who objected on moral grounds. Prominent leaders included Democrats like former Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan, industrialist Henry Ford and publisher William Randolph Hearst; Republicans Robert M. La Follette, Senator from Wisconsin and George W. Norris, Senator from Nebraska; and Progressive Party activist Jane Addams.

At the far-left end of the political spectrum the Socialists, led by their perennial candidate for President Eugene V. Debs and movement veterans like Victor L. Berger and Morris Hillquit, were staunch anti-militarists and opposed to any US intervention, branding the conflict as a "capitalist war" that American workers should avoid. However, after the US did join the war in April, 1917 a schism developed between the anti-war Party majority and a pro-war faction of Socialist writers, journalists and intellectuals led by John Spargo, William English Walling and E. Haldeman-Julius. This group founded the rival Social Democratic League of America to promote the war effort among their fellow Socialists.[13]

Next were the more moderate Liberal-Internationalists. This bipartisan group reluctantly supported a declaration of war against Germany with the postwar goal of establishing collective international security institutions designed to peacefully resolve future conflicts between nations and to promote liberal democratic values more broadly. This groups's views were advocated by interest groups such as the League to Enforce Peace. Adherents included US President Woodrow Wilson, his influential advisor Edward M. House, former President William Howard Taft, famed inventor Alexander Graham Bell, Wall Street financier Bernard Baruch and Harvard University President Abbott Lawrence Lowell.[14]

Finally, there were the so-called Atlanticists. Ardently pro-Entente, they had strongly championed American intervention in the war since 1915. Their primary political motivation was to both prepare the US for war with Germany and to forge an enduring military alliance with Great Britain. This group actively supported the Preparedness Movement and was strong among the Anglophile political establishment of the northeast, boasting such luminaries as former President Theodore Roosevelt, Major General Leonard Wood, prominent attorney and diplomat Joseph Hodges Choate, former Secretary of War Henry Stimson and Senators Henry Cabot Lodge, Sr. of Massachusetts and Elihu Root of New York.[15]

Lot of interesting political insight. Don't think I've ever heard as complete a discussion of the political environment in the U.S. leading up to WWI. Thanks.

6 January 1917
 

Western Front
French GQG moves from Chantilly to Beauvais. General Louis Rucquoi becomes Belgian CoS (after death of Félix Wielemans).

Eastern Front
Baltic Provinces: Battle of the Aa: Russian troops attack German trenches in the swamps southwest if Riga, capturing two lines of trenches and several hundred prisoners.
Dobruja: Last Russian and Rumanian forces evacuate the Dobrudja (see August 25th, 1916, and December 3rd, 1918). (Also reported for yesterday).
Romania: Central Power armies begin moving toward the Romanian city of Galați after the fall of Brăila. 5 villages are captured.

Naval and Overseas Operations
"lnter-Allied Chartering Committee" established for chartering shipping (see December 3rd, 1916 and November 3rd, 1917).
British Royal Navy orders 6 Anchusa-type ‘Flower’-class convoy sloops for June and September completion (2 more on January 13 and remaining on February 20 and 21), enter service from June 1917 to June 1918. https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...lower-class.jpg

Political, etc.
United Kingdom: British news film “Topical Budget,” showing bob sleighing in Canada, among other news: http://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/index/5413
Labour Congress opposes Military Service Bill.
Italy: There will be no fetes or banquets during the Allied war conference in Rome, and all meals will conform to ration requirements.
Japan: Japan starts arming its merchant ships with 10-inch guns in order to protect them against German submarines.
United States: U.S. Senate votes 48 to 17 to approve President Wilson’s attempts to mediate a peace in Europe.
Deans of 95 medical schools in the U.S. endorse universal military training for young men.
Netherlands: The Dutch government states it has taken no steps to promote peace in Europe, believing it would be worthless in the present circumstances.

7 January 1917
 

Western Front
British military band playing at La Neuville-les-Bray, France: http://imgur.com/yDc8sPh
The Victoria Cross is awarded to Sergeant Thomas Mottershead of No.20 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps.
This is the only Victoria Cross to be won by a non-commissioned officer of the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War, for recovering his burning aircraft, a Royal Aircraft Factory F. E. 2d, from a fighting patrol in Ploegsteert Wood in France and for saving the life of his observer, Lieutenant W.E. Gower.

Eastern Front
Baltic Provinces: Battle of the Aa: In the snow, Russian troops, using white clothing to cover their uniforms, surprise German troops near Riga & capture 1000 yards of trenches.
Romania: Russian troops in Romania counterattack Central Power lines southwest of the Siret River on a 15-mile front and advance on a few points.
However, Russo-Romanian front broken north-west of Focsani.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: British Arab Bureau reports Baron Max von Oppenheim’s mission at Medina.
Mesopotamia: Maude’s feints begin with shelling of the Hai and Sannaiyat (7th Division trench raids).

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: Action at Fort Kibala (until January 9): KAR (King’s African Rifles) capture 6 hills as Lettow raises siege.

Political, etc.
Germany: Pless Crown Council backs unlimited U-boat war. Kaiser’s civilian cabinet chief diary entry: ‘Finis Germaniae’.
France: French and Belgian officials meet in Paris to protest the forced deportations of French and Belgian civilians in German-occupied territory.
Canada: Gold worth $25 million is transported under armed guards from Halifax, Canada to New York City.
Italy: Allied conference in Rome ends today, with a declaration that the Allied nations are united in their war aims.
Romania: Michael the Brave War Order created (3 classes).
Greece: Former Greek Minister of Finance M. Diomede claims that Germany is controlling the Greek army.

8 January 1917
 

Eastern Front
Baltic Provinces: Battle of the Aa: Russians recover island in Dvina near Glandau. Heavy fighting south of Lake Babit; no material change of positions.
Romania: Falkenhayn captures Focsani with 5,500 PoWs (another source says 4,000) and crosses river Putna north and southeast of it on January 9, only to be repelled on January 10.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: Khalil Pasha moves Sixth Army HQ from Baghdad to 20 miles west of Kut, but refuses to evacuate south bank.

Political, etc.
Russia: M. Aleksandr Trepov, Russian Premier, resigns and is succeeded by Prince Nikolai Golitsin (see November 24th, 1916 and March 13th, 1917).
Canada: Canadian official casualties now number 68,290 men killed, wounded, and missing.
Italy: Italy arrests more than 40 people as saboteurs for sinking the battleships Benedetto Brin and Leonardo da Vinci. (Note: at least the da Vinci was not in fact, sabotaged, but rather destroyed by accidental internal explosion. The Brin more likely was actually sabotaged).
United States: President Wilson criticizes newspapers for speculating on U.S. diplomatic moves, as it could lead to war.
Mary McElroy, sister of U.S. President Chester A. Arthur who served as First Lady (Chester had been widowed in 1880), passed away: http://imgur.com/36y5hJv
Margaret Sanger at a courthouse in Brooklyn while on trial for opening the first birth control clinic in the US: http://imgur.com/LWfbCQI
Greece: Allied ultimatum to government demands acceptance of December 31, 1916 terms. Greece accepts on January 10.

9 January 1917
 

Eastern Front
Baltic Provinces: Battle of the Aa: Russian advance between Tirul marsh and River Aa.
Romania: In Romania, the Central Power armies make new advances and now hold a 50-mile front along the Siret River, and cross River Putna north and south-east of Focsani.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: Battle of Kut, 1917, begins (second report of the beginning) (see December 13th, 1916 and continues until February 23rd or 24th, 1917): 3rd Indian Division (700 casualties) with 70 guns storms Turk front line in Khadairi Bend and holds against counter-attacks.
Sinai: Action of Rafah. Chetwode’s Desert Column (486 casualties) storms Turkish border defences, Turk losses include 1,635 PoWs and 4 guns. Eight British Tank Mk I land at Alexandria. Last Turkish troops in Sinai recross the frontier (see January 26th, 1915).

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mediterranean: Battleship H.M.S. Cornwallis (15 lives lost) sunk by submarine U-32, commanded by Kurt Hartwig 60 miles southeast of Malta. http://imgur.com/1Jh607V
S. S. Lesbian (Ellerman Liner) sunk.
Atlantic: Raider SMS Seeadler sinks first victim and another British ship (January 10) south of the Azores.

Political, etc.
Germany: After final council of war (at Pless) a Kaiser order is issued: ‘I command that UNRESTRICTED U-BOAT WARFARE BE INSTITUTED WITH THE UTMOST ENERGY ON FEBRUARY 1.’ von Bethmann-Hollweg says ‘U-boat warfare is the last card’. (Austria backs decision on January 20).
Sick Benefit Association of Berlin concludes that large number of prevailing illnesses are due to inadequate nourishment.
Russia: Nikolai Golitsyn is chosen as the new (and last) Prime Minister of Imperial Russia: http://imgur.com/XI5HvgB
Switzerland: Switzerland announces it will be cutting rail services across the country due to shortage of coal.

Specail addendum for 8 January 1917
 

I have no idea how I missed this, since it was a great influence on the course of the War, and of the peace negotiations leading to the Treaty of Versailles (mostly by being ignored by theWestern Allies).
Woodrow Wilson in an address to Congress, outlines his plan for a e, negotiated settlement to the First World War, on the basis of his now-famous Fourteen Points.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourteen_Points

Reaction by war-mongers in the US is generally along the lines of:

Theodore Roosevelt in an article “The League of Nations” published by Metropolitan Magazine (January 1919) warned: “If the League of Nations is built on a document as high-sounding and as meaningless as the speech in which Mr. Wilson laid down his fourteen points, it will simply add one more scrap to the diplomatic waste paper basket. Most of these fourteen points … would be interpreted … to mean anything or nothing."

Senator William Borah after 1918 wished “this treacherous and treasonable scheme” of the League of Nations to be “buried in hell” and promised that if he had his way it would be “20,000 leagues under the sea.”

Which seems to have been one of the major influences keeping the US out of the League of Nations (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Nations), which, in turn, was a major factor in the failure of that body to prevent the Second World War.

More interesting info. Always knew that the U.S. was not terribly confident in the League of Nations, but didn't know exactly why. Seems like we could have been almost as skeptical of the UN after WWII. :boink:

10 January 1917
 

Western Front
British attack takes trenches on 3/4-mile front northeast of Beaumont Hamel, (Somme sector). Fifth Army operations on Ancre until March 13 involve Anzac and 3 other corps (11 divisions).

Eastern Front
Baltic Provinces: Battle of the Aa: Russian drive near Riga have advanced around 2 km and have captured 32 heavy and light artillery guns from the Germans.
Romania: “Thousands” (ed note: not trying to minimize the suffering, just completely unsure of how many thousands) of Romanian refugees die along the road in Bessarabia due to severe weather, while all able-bodied males are conscripted into the army.
Central Powers carry two heights in Oitoz valley (Moldavia), but are thrown back across the Putna north of Focsani.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Sinai: The entire Sinai Peninsula is now back in Allied hands. New Zealand cavalry at the Sinai & Palestine border post: http://imgur.com/AqmkBpc
Mesopotamia: British progress continued north-east of Kut.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Channel: First Anglo*-French collier convoy sails (up to 45 colliers with 3 or 4 trawler escorts); only 5 of 2.600 lost by April 30.

Political, etc.
Entente Governments send joint reply to President Wilson's Note. Allied war aims outlined (see December 18th, 1916).
Russia: The new Premier of Russia Golitsyn declares there will be no internal reforms during the war.
Australia: Relatives and friends give farewells to Australian soldiers as they leave Brisbane: http://imgur.com/31I65tb
Belgium: Belgian Government reply, to President Wilson's Note placing themselves in hands of Allies (see December 18th, 1916 and September 15th, 1918).
United States: German San Francisco Consul-General and 4 employees found guilty of conspiracy to sink arms ships. Von Bernstorff cables Zimmermann war inevitable if U-boats unleashed.
Greece: Evasive reply by Greek Government to Allies' ultimatum.

11 January 1917
 

Western Front
A British sentry on duty on the front at night. Hesdin, Frnace: http://imgur.com/ChwhZlG
German “official” casualties now number 4,010,160 men killed, wounded, and missing, not including naval and colonial casualties. {Ed note: I am not sure if this is “official” from the consistently over-estimated by Allied sources, or the far more accurate “official” from German sources.}
British carry German trench on front of 0.75 mile, north-east of Beaumont Hamel (Somme region, again.)

Eastern Front
Baltic Provinces: Battle of the Aa: German counter-attack near Kalutsem, south of Lake Babit, repulsed.
Romania: Successful Romanian attack in Casin valley.
Austro-German progress in Susitsa valley and between Braila and Galatz.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: King Hussein finally declines British troops.
Sinai: War Cabinet cables Murray to defer large-scale operations in Palestine till later in year.
Mesopotamia: Turk 45th Division breaks through British line (over 650 casualties) but gradually forced back to Tigris south bank until night January 18-19. British Cavalry Division occupies Hai town, but inhabitants attack, it is retiring on January 14.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Eastern Mediterranean: Seaplane carrier HMS Ben-my-Chree sunk in Kastelorizo Island harbour by Turk guns off Southwest Asia Minor (more shelling of French island base on February 27). http://imgur.com/1mAJw1x
This is the only aviation ship lost in the First World War.
British implement dispersal and coasting system in Eastern Mediterranean to try and cut shipping losses, causes friction with French.

Political, etc.
Austro-Hungarian and German Governments issue Note to neutrals and Vatican repudiating responsibility for continuance of war, and declaring that they will prosecute the war to successful end (see December 12th and 30th, 1916, and September 15th, 1918). https://wwi.lib.byu.edu/index.php/G...anuary_11,_1917
Allied nations reply to the U.S. that peace is impossible now and outlines terms it seeks from the Central Powers.
Germany: Settlement Treaty signed at Berlin between Germany and Turkey (see April 10th, 1918).
United Kingdom: Bonar Law, concerning a new British war loan: “Shall it ever be said of this country that it is willing to give its sons but not its money?”
PM Lloyd George: “The Allies are still convinced that even war is better than peace at the price of Prussian domination over Europe.”
British Central Liquor Control Board reports that its operations have reduced reports of drunkenness in cities by half.
Important food orders issued by Lord Devonport.
United States: (Listed for yesterday): The Silent Sentinels, a group of women suffragists, begin protesting at the White House: http://imgur.com/fpxVaTj
Supreme Court Justice Wesley Howard states the U.S. could blockade all belligerent nations to force a peace in Europe.
William F. Cody, the performer famously known as “Buffalo Bill,” passed away: http://imgur.com/gTy66ad
Montenegro: Second proposal for union with Serbia; General Martinovic succeeds Radovic as Prime Minister.

William F. Cody ... may your resting in peace continue.

12 January 1917
 

Eastern Front
Baltic Provinces: Battle of the Aa: German attack near Kalutsem again repulsed.
Romania: Mackensen‘s Turkish troops take Mihalea on river Sereth northwest of Braila; he takes Vadeni 10 miles northwest on January 14 but driven out on January 16.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Yemen: 5 British ships land a force at Salif, capture 100 Turks and recover British rock salt works after 3 hours action. Britain recognizes Farson Island as Idrisi territory on January 22.

Naval and Overseas Operations
German steamer Gneisenau, which had been sunk by British in 1914, being refloated: http://imgur.com/ZMxAP7j* © IWM (Q 24022)

Political, etc.
Austria-Hungary: Count Ottokar Czernin tells Austrian Common Ministers Council compromise peace must be sought.
Germany: Kaiser Wilhelm: “Our enemies have dropped the mask, admitted their lust of conquest and their aim to crush Germany and enslave Europe…”
Large number of Romanian prisoners are sent to occupied France by the Germans to work as agricultural laborers.
Italy: Allied Rome Note pledges to work for “liberation” of all Habsburg subject peoples.
United States: A fire breaks out at a Canadian Foundry Co. Plant in Kingsland, New Jersey, causing 500,000 artillery shells to explode. No one is killed.
Former President William Howard Taft resigns as honorary president of the World’s Court League.

13 January 1917
 

Western Front
British troops in camouflage snow suits leaving their trench for a night patrol: http://imgur.com/cd5IpM7* © IWM (Q 6423)
British wiring party setting up barbed wire at Cambrai: http://imgur.com/2jp101Z* © IWM (Q 6419)
Captain C.F. Collet of the Royal Flying Corps becomes the first British service flyer [as opposed to balloon crew] to make parachute jump when he uses a Calthrop 'Guardian Angel' parachute for an experimental jump from 600 feet.

Eastern Front
Baltic Provinces: Battle of the Aa: Germans again repulsed near Kalutsem.
Dobruja: Germano-Bulgarians repulsed east of Focsani.
Romania: Battle of Pralea (until January 18): Rumanians hold Susitza valley.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: Abdulla’s 5,000 Arabs capture Mecca-bound Turk convoy (much gold), reach Wadi Ais, 50 miles northwest of Medina on January 19.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Black Sea: Russia claims that its naval raid on the Anatolian coast sunk 40 Ottoman ships that were carrying food to Constantinople.
North Africa: Italians severely defeat rebels near Zuara (Tripoli).

Political, etc.
United Kingdom: The British government raised £100 million from the public for its new war loan.
Responding to German criticism of the Allied blockade as inhumane, Britain states Germany starved Paris during the Franco-Prussian War.
Italy: Vatican confirms that Pope Benedict will not participate in any action towards peace that might appear to favor one power over the other.
Romania: US and Dutch Ambassadors leave Romania.
United States: Leon Trotsky lands in New York.

14 January 1917
 

Eastern Front
Russian Army now 6,900,000 men strong.
Romania: Battle of Pralea: Falkenhayn repulsed northeast of Focsani (January 13-14), but takes Nanesti on January 19 and Fundeni on January 20.
German-led forces advance on a 10-mile front towards the Siret River against Romanian and Russian forces, capturing 2 villages.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Japanese battlecruiser Tsukuba sunk by internal explosion in harbor, resulting in 305 deaths. http://imgur.com/CAB0EIs
Channel: Q-ship Penshurst makes her second kill, coastal submarine UB-37. Q-ships are posing as unarmed merchantmen and shelling unwary U-boats with their concealed guns: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...7/01/Q-ship.jpg . UB-37 had sunk 31 ships.
North Sea: Beatty concentrates Grand Fleet for wide sweep and exercises especially in night shooting.

Political, etc.
Germany: German economist professor Moritz Julius Bonn states that a victorious Germany should punish statesmen who are responsible for the war.
Romania: At Ciurea station, Romania, a train crash causes 800-1000 deaths. Due to war, no formal investigation takes place: http://imgur.com/ZVnpou4
Poland: Provisional Council of State first meets; Prince Niemoyovski appointed Regent by Kaiser Wilhelm II.
United States: US cruiser USS Milwaukee runs aground off Humboldt Bay while trying to salvage the sunken submarine H-3: http://imgur.com/S2MvzcR
China: China awards a new contract to an American company to build 300 miles of railway in Hunan province to Hubei province.

Attached is a picture of that cruiser.

15 January 1917
 

Western Front
Stack of boxed rations for the British Army supply depot in Rouen: http://imgur.com/ak6t8L1* © IWM (Q 1766)

Eastern Front
Romania: Battle of Pralea: Unsuccessful Russian attack in neighbourhood of Fundeni.
Royal Navy Armoured Car Unit awarded 46 Russian decorations.

Southern Front
Macedonia: German counteroffensive in Macedonia pushes back Serbian troops back across the Cerna River.

Political, etc.
Germany: German Foreign Secretary Zimmermann blames the Allies for preventing German efforts at seeking a peace deal.
Kings of Bavaria & Saxony declare their support of the Kaiser and that they will fight “until the enemy’s disgraceful plans are shattered.”
United Kingdom: New French Western Front commander Nivelle in London until January 16 expands his plan and wins British cabinet support despite War Office misgivings.
British War Cabinet confers with Haig and Nivelle until January 16.
Italy: ltaly accedes to Franco-British Convention as to naval "prizes" (see November 9th, 1914).
United States: In Caminetti v. United States, the Supreme Court decides that extramarital sex is defined as “immoral sex.”
Persia: Persia (Iran) asks the U.S. State Department to help defend its rights, as its territories have been invaded by both Russians & Ottomans.

16 January 1917
 

Western Front
Manfred von Richthofen awarded Pour le Merite. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pour_le_M%C3%A9rite
Important daylight raid by British aircraft west of Lens.

Eastern Front
Romania: Battle of Pralea: Romanians recapture height between Casin and and Oitoz valleys. Central Powersdriven from Vadeni.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Tripolitania: General Latini’s 5 battalions defeat Senussi near Zuara (until January 17).
East Africa: NRFF takes Malawis bridge over river Ruhudje. Kilwa Force occupies Mohoro and takes Königsberg gun.

Political, etc.
Germany: A7V tank prototype ordered.
At the Pope’s request, Kaiser Wilhelm agrees that he will cooperate in the restoration of the damaged Rheims cathedral.
Germany claims that Allied shelling and air raids have killed 2,557 French and Belgian civilians in occupied areas.
United Kingdom: Despatch from Mr. Balfour in amplification of Allies' Note to U.S.A. communicated to American Government.
Italy: Food Commission appointed.
United States: George Dewey, U.S. Admiral of the Navy (only person to hold the rank), passed away: http://imgur.com/6S9TXsJ
Greece: Greece government asks the U.S. for help, stating Allied meddling in the country is causing starvation among its people.
Complete acceptance of Allies' ultimatum by Greek Government.

I never really thought about it, but I did not realize there has only been one US Admiral of the Navy in our history. Another little gem in a river of gems. Thanks GG.

17 January 1917
 

Western Front
Somme: British troops capture German posts on 600-yard front north of Beaucourt-sur-Ancre and repulse four counter-attacks until February 4.
Canadian troops carry out raids around Lens and Arras, capturing at least 100 German prisoners, 2 machine guns, and 1 mortar.

Eastern Front
Romania: Battle of Pralea: Mackensen's advance in Romania checked.

Southern Front
Macedonia: French war cemetery at Monastir (Bitola), Macedonia: http://imgur.com/MyDLjk7* © IWM (Q 78321)

Naval and Overseas Operations
British Admiralty announces that German raider in the Atlantic has sunk 10 British and 2 French ships, and captured 2 British ships.

Political, etc.
Austria-Hungary: Emperor Charles moves Austrian GHQ from Teschen to Baden near Vienna despite Conrad’s protests.
The Central Powers accuse Russia of deporting Austrian men of military age in occupied areas of Austro-Hungary.
Germany: Germany demands that France move its prisoner of war camps beyond the range of German artillery to prevent accidental hits. (This was in response to the French deliberately locating the camps in areas likely to be shelled for exactly that reason).
Russia: General Dmitry Shuvaev, Russian Minister for War, resigns and is succeeded by General Mikhail Belyaev (see March 29th, 1916, and March 13th, 1917).

18 January 1917
 

(Special, 1919): World War I: The Paris Peace Conference opened, to set the peace terms for the Central Powers.

Eastern Front
Romania: Battle of Pralea: Unsuccessful attacks on Central Powers’ positions between Casin and Susitsa valleys.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: Feisal begins final march on Wejh.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Channel: UC-18 torpedoes Royal Navy destroyer Ferret, but the latter survives to be converted to a minelayer. Ferret’s sister ship HMS Jackal. https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...1/DD-Jackal.jpg
South Atlantic: Raider Wolf lays 29 mines off Cape Agulhas, South Africa; 2 ships sunk and only 7 mines swept in 1917.
Black Sea: Russian submarine Nervel sinks 3,000t steamer; 440 mines added to fields off Bosphorus.

Political, etc.
Germany: (Special, 1871): Independent German states unified into the German Empire, with Prussian KingWilhelm I being proclaimed as its first Emperor.
Members of the Prussian Diet urge the vigorous prosecution of the war with the increased use of submarines.
Russia: Re-opening of Duma and of Council of the Empire postponed by Russian Government from 25 January to 27 February.
United Kingdom: Lighthouses in Jamaica and other British possessions in the Caribbean are darkened due to fear of German raiders and submarines.
Victor Bruce, Earl of Elgin and former Viceroy and Governor-General of India, passed away: http://imgur.com/5Un6v1g
English bar council votes with an overwhelming majority against allowing women to practice law.
Bulgaria: Kaiser Wilhelm and Bulgarian Tsar Ferdinand I reviewing Bulgarian cavalry at Nis, Serbia: http://imgur.com/rxK09Nk
Greece: British Military attaché and Chief Control Officer reports 8,948 Greek troops; 3,132 animals, 78 guns and 62 MGs have transferred to Peloponnese in past month.

19 January 1917
 

Western Front
Aerial picture of the trenches and soldiers on the Somme front: http://imgur.com/VBvfKn8

Eastern Front
Russia claims that in 1916, it captured 428,000 soldiers, 325 artillery guns, 1,661 machine guns, and 421 mortars and mine throwers.
Romania: Battle of Pralea: Further unsuccessful Romanian attacks between Casin and Susitsa valleys. Town of Nanesti and bridgehead of Fundeni carried by Makensen’s forces.

Southern Front
Kaiser Wilhelm at the Citadel in occupied Belgrade, the 1st German emperor to visit since Friedrich I Barbarossa http://imgur.com/vU1VRxu* © IWM (Q 27202)

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: 3rd Indian Division has cleared Khadalri Bend (south bank of Tigris below Kut); for 1,639 casualties since January 9.

Political, etc.
Germany: German Government send instructions to German Minister in Mexico (von Eckhardt) to negotiate alliance with Mexico and Japan against the United States (see February 28th). This is the infamous Zimmermann Telegram, which perhaps even more than unrestricted submarine warfare, brought the US into World War I. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zimmermann_Telegram and https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.ph...page=transcript
United Kingdom: Silvertown (East London) munitions factory explosion (69 killed, 400 injured), heard in Salisbury, Wilts. https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...Muni-Fabrik.jpg (Ed note: uncertain if this is the particular munitions factory in question).

20 January 1917
 

Eastern Front
Romania: Battle of Pralea: Despite strengthening resistance, German-led forces capture the commune of Nănești, Romania from Russian and Romanian troops. After taking Fundeni, Germans decide to halt offensive at river Sereth.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: British bombers carry out an attack on an Ottoman munitions plant in Baghdad.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: British submarine E.36 collides with another submarine E.43 in the North Sea, resulting in E.36’s sinking with loss of all hands.
Eastern Mediterranean: French Salonika-bound transport Admiral Magon (5,566t) sunk by U-39 (Walter Forstmann).
East Africa: General Reginald Hoskins succeeds General Jan Smuts in command of British forces, East Africa (see February 19th, 1916 and May 30th, 1917). Official despatch from German East Africa reports progress in Rufiji valley region and west of Mahenge. Main and Kilwa Forces only 40 miles apart, Hoskins flies from Kilwa to GHQ in a BE2c. Only 15,000 fit troops against 8,400 Germans with 20 guns and 73 MGs. Smuts sails from Dar-es-Salaam for London.

Political, etc.
Austria-Hungary: Coffee rations in Budapest are cut to 125 grams per person for each month.
Russia: The Tsar addresses a rescript to Prince Golitzin laying down the main lines of his policy.
Turkey: More than 1000 Americans in Ottoman Syria and Palestine apply for evacuation out of the region.
Belgium: German occupation in Belgium sentences 30 Belgians to death for attempting to escape through the Netherlands and join the Belgian Army.

21 January 1917
 

Western Front
Britain carries out a daylight raid on German trenches near Loos, destroying dugouts, inflicting casualties, & capturing prisoners.
Verdun: French repulse attacks north of Bois de Caurieres. (Again, probably nothing more than minor raids).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Persia: Ali Ihsan ordered to move troops to Baghdad, 44th Regiment leaves Kermanshah.

Political, etc.
Germany: Germany releases this propaganda poster, replying to Allied propaganda calling the Germans “Barbarians”. Banner headline reads, “We Barbarians!” Middle section, the columns represent Germany, England, and France, in that order. Rows are labeled, “Illiteracy rates per 10,000 citizens”; “median wages(?)” (ed note: not too sure about this one, it might actually read closer to “standard of living”); “books engraved” (i. e. published); “spending on social welfare”. Bottom of the poster highlights the many Nobel Prize winners for the years 1901-1915, compare the nationality of such, and especially highlights many of the German notables. https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...ir-barbaren.jpg
(reported for yesterday): An explosion at a munitions laboratory in Spandau, Germany results in 10 deaths and 20 injuries.
Russia: Tsar Nicholas II issues an imperial rescript calling on all Russians to back the army to the fullest extent.
Russian General Aleksei Brusilov predicts that “during the coming year the enemy will be completely routed.”
France: The Bishop of Verdun, who had to flee the German advance, returns to the city and expresses assurances of coming victory.
Turkey: Ottoman Empire accuses France of coveting Syria and Britain of wanting to take over Mesopotamia (Iraq).
United States: Funeral of Admiral George Dewey, commander during the Battle of Manila Bay, in Washington DC: http://imgur.com/iPQV7jI
The U.S. cuts the number of guards on the US-Mexican border by 15,000, as demobilization of the Mexican expedition continues.
Herbert Hoover, head of the Belgian Relief Commission (and future US President), asks $200 million to aid civilians in occupied Belgium.
Switzerland: Some Swiss citizens living overseas are ordered to return home to serve in the Swiss Army, due to fears of a German invasion.

Under "Political, etc." the "We Barbarians" poster noted as an entry for Germany is really quite neat and well done. :boink:

It does help that I speak German.

22 January 1917
 

Western Front
Ferdinand Foch assumes temporary command of Eastern Army Group (until March 26) for Noël Castelnau, which is on Allied mission to Russia.
Foch’s CoS Weygand goes to Berne for secret talks with Swiss General Staff on steps against any German invasion of Switzerland.

Eastern Front
Airship LZ-97 raids Kishinev, Rumania.
Dobruja: 2 Bulgarian battalions cross south arm of Danube near Tulcea but thrown back on January 23, losing 337 PoWs.
Romania: Battle of Pralea: Following heavy artillery bombardment, German and Austro-Hungarian troops launch attacks on Russian lines along the Stokhid River.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Baltic: German submarine SM U-76 founders in bad weather and then collides with a Russian trawler, resulting in the submarine sinking.
North Sea: Two destroyer actions by night in North Sea. One German destroyer sunk and one (V-69) towed damaged into Ymuiden. One British destroyer lost. [ed note: I can find no evidence of a second action, nor any reference to a British destroyer being sunk. Nor was a German destroyer sunk outright. The High Seas Torpedo Boats {further note: The German Hochseetorpedoboote were the rough equivalent of destroyers in other navies, and often referred to as such} G-41 & V-69 were both damaged and collided during this action, but both made it to port.] Wikipedia has this to say: On 22 January 1917, 11 torpedo boats of the 6th Torpedo Boat Flotilla, including G41 left Helgoland to reinforce the German torpedo forces in Flanders. The British Admiralty knew about this transfer due to codebreaking by Room 40, and ordered the Harwich Force of cruisers and destroyers to intercept the German torpedo boats. During the night of 22–23 January, the 6th Flotilla encountered three British light cruisers (Aurora, Conquest and Centaur). The Germans attempted a torpedo attack against the British cruisers, but were driven off by heavy fire and broke off the attack behind a smoke-screen. V69, leader of the flotilla, and the only torpedo boat to succeed in launching any torpedoes, was hit by three shells, one of which jammed her rudder, forcing her to move in a circle. G41 collided with V69 twice in the resulting confusion, with the second collision caused one of V69's torpedoes to explode. Both torpedo boats were badly damaged as a result of the collisions, and G41 was hit two more times by British shells, knocking out the ship's aft gun and forward torpedo tubes before managing to lose the chasing British cruisers in the smoke. G41 managed to reach Zeebrugge via Dutch territorial waters, while V69 made for Ijmuiden in the Netherlands, where she was repaired, returning to Germany on 12 February.
East Africa: 150 German soldiers repel 125 KAR (King’s African Rifles) from Mpotora, west of Kilwa.

Political, etc.
United Kingdom: Britain announces that all men aged 18 years will be called up for home defense, lowering the age from the former 18 years & 7 months.
Italy: The Bank of Italy and other Italian banks lend Russia $50 million, which will be used to purchase Italian war supplies.
United States: Polish organization in the U.S. asks President Wilson to recognize the Kingdom of Poland, which was established by the Central Powers.
Rockefeller Foundation defends plan for a “modern school,” which will teach French and German instead of Latin and Greek.
Ammunition exports from the U.S. to Europe has passed more than $1 billion in value since the start of the war.
In a speech to the Senate, President Wilson proposes abandoning isolation and establishing a world league to maintain peace.

23 January 1917
 

Western Front
French ace Guynemer destroys 5 German aircraft (until January 26).
10 RNAS Sopwiths bomb Burbach blast furnaces near Saarbrücken (one other raid February, repeated twice in March).

Eastern Front
Baltic Provinces: Battle of the Aa: German Eighth Army counter-offensive regains most ground lost between Lake Babit and Tirul Marsh (until January 25), taking 900 PoWs.
Romania: Battle of Pralea: In Romania, Bulgarian troops have crossed the Danube near Tulcea and have established a beachhead after driving away Allied troops. Another source directly contradicts, stating: Bulgarians driven back across Danube near Tulcea.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Allied London Naval Conference (until January 24) opened by Lloyd George who stresses its importance and appeals for unity. It agrees to withdraw 4 Royal Navy battleships from Mediterranean, Adriatic Squadron to use crews in smaller ships, likewise only HMS Lord Nelson and HMS Agamemnon to stay in Eastern Mediterranean; Anglo-French compromise on dispersed or fixed shipping routes in Mediterranean, to try both until next conference; British commander to be in command of Otranto Barrage under Italian C-in-C
North Sea: (Ah, here is the second destroyer action from yesterday): Harwich flotilla action with German 6th torpedo boat flotilla in the North Sea: H.M.S. Simoom sunk. Another source: A by Room 40 warned Harwich Force (3 cruisers and 14 destroyers) engages German 6th Torpedo Boat Flotilla (8 ships) and damages destroyers G41 and S5 in icy small hours bound for Zeebrugge. British destroyer Simoom sunk by S50 torpedo. German flotilla leader V69 driven damaged into Ymuiden (Holland) but not interned. And a third: German and British light flotillas clash twice in the North Sea. Britain loses a destroyer, while Germany loses a torpedo boat.

Political, etc.
United Kingdom: Britain rejects President Wilson’s attempts at mediating peace, stating there will be no “peace without victory.”
Labour Party approves acceptance of office by Labour Members in Ministry
Japan: Prime Minister of Japan states the country will resist any peace proposal that would reduce its armaments.
Japanese Foreign Minister promises that Japan will stop meddling in the affairs of China.

24 January 1917
 

Eastern Front
Baltic Provinces: Battle of the Aa: Further German advance in hard fighting near Lake Babit. Russians fall back.
Romania: Battle of Pralea: In Romania, Russian troops counterattack and destroy the Bulgarian beachhead established across the Danube. 337 Bulgarians are captured.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: Wejh captured by Arab forces. Fourhundred of Feisal’s regulars with 200 sailors from 3 British ships capture 200 Turks (until January 25) as Feisal and Lawrence (in Cairo on january 28) approach by land. T.E. Lawrence in Arab dress: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...-arab-dress.jpg

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: Major Grawert’s 289 Germans surrender at Likuju in south. Major Otto’s 600 soldiers (46 casualties) beat Nigerians (64 casualties) at Ngwembe (until January 25) south of Rufiji.

Political, etc.
Germany: Railway chaos in winter freeze prevents all extra traffic (until February 5) despite mobile unloading teams.
United Kingdom: Allied Naval Conference continues in London as to policy in Mediterranean (see November 30th).
United States: U.S. government states it will allow armed merchantmen to cross the Panama Canal, as long as the weapons are only for defense.
Greece: Greek Government make formal apology to the Allies for the occurrences of December 1st, 1916.

25 January 1917
 

Western Front
Verdun: German success at Hill 304; mile-long stretch of French trenches stormed, but French regain most of them on January 26.

Eastern Front
Baltic Provinces: German counteroffensive around Riga against Russian lines continues. 1700 Russians and 13 machine guns are captured.
Romania: Battle of Pralea: Snowstorms and cold weather halts Central Power armies’ advances in Romania, with only isolated fighting today.

Southern Front
Albania: Street scene in the French-occupied city of Korçë, Albania. Albanian volunteers in the background: http://imgur.com/zddTzKr

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: Maude attacks Hai salient southwest of Kut on a mile front with 13th Division (1,135 casualties including 3 battalion commander, 2 Victoria Cross) and 114 guns; one source claims: only half captured trenches held against counter-attacks, while another says: Turkish counter-attacks recover a little ground. One Victoria Cross went to Robert Phillips ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Edwin_Phillips ); I am unable to track down the recipient of the second.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Atlantic: White Star liner and Armed Merchant Cruiser Laurentic (350 killed) mined off Ireland, her gold cargo partially salvaged after Armistice.
North Sea: Southwold and Wangford on the Suffolk coast shelled by German destroyers.

Political, etc.
Austria-Hungary: Grand Admiral Anton Haus argues to Emperor Charles for unrestricted U-boat war. Charles then sees German Admiral Holzendorff (which promises 42 U-boats in Mediterranean) and Zimmermann.
France: Paris jury acquits Josephine Barthélemy of infanticide, as she testified the child was due to a rape by a German soldier.
French workers at the Schneider Steel Works, the 2nd largest in France, end their strike, as their work is essential to the war effort.
United Kingdom: British government announces beer production will be restricted by 30% starting on April in order to conserve food supplies.
British Treasury is given new powers to seize foreign assets in order to strengthen the country’s finances.

:yikes:

26 January 1917
 

Western Front
German troops attack several miles of trenches near Verdun, but most gains, except at Hill 304, are reversed by a French counterattack.
British soldiers buying apples from a woman near the frontlines at Cambrin: http://imgur.com/Wg8CFWl* © IWM (Q 6461)

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: 14th Indian Division retakes Hai west bank sector, creeping advances until January 31.
British troops win 1,100 yards of Ottoman trenches southwest of Kut Al Amara.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Battleship U.S.S. Mississippi being launched from Newport News, VA: http://imgur.com/VH2Xnzb
Arctic: Minelaying U-76 rammed by Russian trawlers; she founders off Hammerfest.

Political, etc.
Austria-Hungary: At Pless Austro-German naval chiefs draft note declaring Mediterranean prohibited zone to Allied shipping, Austrian U-boats to operate beyond Adriatic.
Ausgleich Agreement (1867) with Hungary changed and renewed in latter’s favour for 20 years.
Germany: War spending to date estimated at £5 billions.
France: French government restricts the number of courses restaurants can serve to 4 (hors d’oeuvres or soup, 2 mains, and cheese or dessert).
United Kingdom: British labour unions, by a vote of 3 to 1, defeats a resolution in favor of an immediate offer of peace proposals to the Central Powers.
British labour unions unanimously adopt a resolution urging a creation of an “international league” to maintain peace after the war.
Compulsory loan or sale to Treasury of “certain” foreign securities.
Canada: National Steel Factory established at Toronto.
United States: Women suffragists protesting outside the White House in the rain: http://imgur.com/ujpvEDV
Netherlands: Dutch government bans armed merchantmen in the Dutch colonies, unless they are carrying food.

And today, it France's turn to limit food in some manner. You might think there's a war on or something.

Maybe it's not war ... maybe it's so they can increase by 30% wine production? :D

27 January 1917
 

Western Front
Somme: British take position near Le Transloy and capture 350-strong garrison.
At Verdun, German forces successfully defend their gains at Hill 304 against two French counterattacks.

Eastern Front
Dobruja: Russians carry Central Powers’ positions between Kimpolung and Jacobeny (Bukovina), and take 1,218 prisoners.
Romania: Field Marhsal von Mackensen distributing Iron Crosses in occupied Bucharest: http://imgur.com/xpEuNJI* © IWM (Q 52243)

Naval and Overseas Operations
Germany: U-boat leader Bauer orders his commanders ‘… unrestricted U-boat warfare is to force England to make peace and thereby decide the whole war. Energetic action is required and above all rapidity of action … expend only one torpedo on each ship stopped …’. Dover Straits route now compulsory to maximize time on station.
Atlantic: S.S. Artist torpedoed in a gale by German submarine; crew left to perish.

Political, etc.
Germany: Kaiser Wilhelm celebrates his 58th birthday. In the birthday message, he states the German people will obtain peace by the sword.
The celebration of Kaiser Wilhelm’s birthday in the arena at Bucharest: http://imgur.com/G4j2dvb* © IWM (Q 87106)
Russia: Nikolai Pokrovski, Russian Foreign Minister, resigns (see December 12th, 1916 and March 15th, 1917).
Japan: Government asks Britain to approve her assuming German rights in China (done February 16).
Count Date Munemoto, head of the Date clan and last Daimyo of the Sendai Domain, passed away: http://imgur.com/r5Etu8P

My ol' hometown (Sendai) for a year and a half in the mid-50s. Nice to catch a bit of history related to the city.

A bit more about Sendai from WikiLeaks ..

Sendai Domain was a Japanese domain of the Edo period. Most of its holdings were contiguous, covering all of present-day Miyagi Prefecture, small portions of southern Iwate Prefecture, and a portion of northeastern Fukushima Prefecture.

The domain's capital, and the ruling family's castle, were located in what became the modern city of Sendai. Ruled for the entirety of its history by the Date clan.

It constituted the largest domain in northern Japan, and one of the largest domains in the entire country, after the Satsuma Domain and Kaga Domain.

Sendai was the focal point of the Ouetsu Reppan Domei during the Boshin War. Unlike the nearby Aizu domain, Sendai survived the war largely intact, though with a severely reduced income. It was disbanded with the other domains in 1873.

Ooooh! Thanks for the capsule history, DB.

28 January 1917
 

Western Front
Severe British January pressure on the Anere prompts Rupprecht to demand a voluntary retirement to Siegfried Stellung (the so-called “Hindenburg Line”); (OHL vetoes on January 29).

Eastern Front
Romania: Taking advantage of the cold weather, Russian troops manage to advance 2 miles against the Germans in Bukovina.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: Considerable progress by British on right bank of Tigris south-west of Kut.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: British government announces it has completed mining operations in a 100-mile zone along the entire German North Sea coast.
Black Sea: 2 Russian destroyers sink or capture 22 Turkish sailing craft between Ordu and Sinope (until January 31).
Atlantic: U-53 sinks Spanish SS Nueva Montana (arrying core for Newcastle) off Ushant and a similar ship on January 29.

Political, etc.
United Kingdom: Royal Navy Room 40 intercepts Bernstorff’s second protest against unlimited U-boat war.
Frank Godden, chief test pilot for the Royal Aircraft Factory, is killed during a test flight: http://imgur.com/KZFTPXU
4,523 private factories and works, employing 2.25 million workers, are now controlled by the British government to assist in war production.
United States: Not knowing its value, robbers who stole a $10,000 necklace from the Chicago Art Institute sold it for $18.
Naval radio station at Chollas Heights achieves wireless communication 6000 miles away with Australia: http://imgur.com/6trRyaD
China: Yikuang, Prince Qing and former Prime Minister of the Qing Chinese Empire, passed away: http://imgur.com/TADNut2
Costa Rica: General Federico Tinoco Granados launches a coup in Costa Rica, deposing President Alfredo González: http://imgur.com/yRcs2PP
Mexico: US General Pershing and his troops ordered home.

29 January 1917
 

Western Front
French troops practicing with rifle grenades: http://imgur.com/QTN93T2* © IWM (Q 94768)
Verdun: German forces continue to hold gains on Hill 304, repulsing four French counterattacks.

Southern Front
News footage of a Royal Irish Regiment captain demonstrating a rifle grenade, possibly in Salonika: http://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/index/45839

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: British progress continued near Kut.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: Royal Navy submarine K13 sinks on acceptance trials in Clyde, 47 men survive after 57-hour ordeal. The ‘K’-class was designed as fleet submarines capable of 24 kts surfaced. No contemporary diesels were equal to the task so steam turbines were fitted together with a diesel to drive the generator. Over a third of the hull was devoted to machinery. https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w.../01/K-class.jpg
Announcement of laying of New British minefield from Yorkshire to Jutland.
East Africa: 160 soldiers of KAR (King’s African Rifles) besiege Fort Utete on river Rufiji; c.200 Germans escape on rainy night (January 30.31) and maul pursuit (February 2).

Political, etc.
Russia: Allied delegation (Lord Milner, Generals Wilson and Castelnau) arrives at Petrograd (until February 21).
United Kingdom: Evelyn Baring, 1st Earl of Cromer and first British Controller-General of Egypt, passed away: http://imgur.com/dkgSSXB
United States: Rockefeller Foundation provides $772,700 to universities & other educational institutions, including $197,500 to African American schools.
President Wilson vetoes an immigration bill that would have required a literacy test for arriving immigrants.
Greece: Allies' flags formally saluted at Athens.
Switzerland: Prince Sixtus of Bourbon receives Emperor Charles’ peace letter from his mother (also Empress Zita‘s).

30 January 1917
 

Western Front
Lorraine: Destructive French trench raid south of Leintrey; penetrates to German second line taking PoWs. Further small success south-west of Leintrey.

Eastern Front
Airship LZ-98 raids Petrograd.
Baltic Provinces: Between Tirul swamp and River Aa (Riga) strong German attack succeeds in one sector, 900 Russians taken prisoner.
Romania: East of Jakobeny (southern Bukovina) Russians assault and capture important hill fortifications claiming to take over 1,000 prisoners.

Political, etc.
Germany: Government replies to Wilson’s message from January 22, 1917 and ‘will do her best to protect US interests.’
Germany estimates that due to the blockade and war, food supplies have decreased by 2 million tons of grain compared to last year.
Russia: Allied conference is ongoing in Petrograd to help reorganize the Russian military and financial situations.
United Kingdom: British Committee on Electoral Reform suggests that women 30 years and up should be given the right to vote.
Norway: Norway re-issues statement forbidding submarines in territorial waters.

31 January 1917
 

Western Front
During January 4 German Jagdstaffeln (fighter squadrons) formed, another 6 in February.
German attacks fail on the Ancre near Beaucourt and west of Serre.
Total of German prisoners taken by British in France during January is 1,228, including 27 officers.

Eastern Front
Baltic Provinces: East of Jakobeny Germans attack three times by night against previous lost positions, but are repulsed with heavy loss.

Naval and Overseas Operations
During January U-boats have sunk 180 ships (51 British, 63 Allied, 66 neutral including 34 Norwegian) worth 328,391t (British 109,954t), 2 U-boats lost. U-boat toll in Mediterranean is 75,541t.

Political, etc.
Germany: Government informs US Government it will not ‘leave any means whatever unturned [ie unrestricted U-boat warfare] to hasten the end of the war. Since the Allies have rebuffed Germany’s attempt to reach an understanding by negotiation … The Imperial German Government must therefore abandon the limitations … imposed upon itself …’.
GERMANY DECLARES UNRESTRICTED U-BOAT WAR and threatens cross-Channel hospital ships (alleged munition cargoes). Bernstorff orders sabotage of German ships [that is, so they could not be seized and used by the US or Allies] in US ports.
Germany announces zone in which all shipping liable to be sunk as from Terschelling (Holland) north to Udsive (Norway) then northwest to Faroe Islands and down longitude 20° West 350 miles west of Ireland to Cape Finisterre. Zone also includes whole Mediterranean excluding Balearic Islands and seas east of Gibraltar as far as Spain’s heel. A 20-mile channel left for ships sailing to Greece until January 11, 1918. Archangel added to barred zone on March 1917. Scheer Order of Day says whole Navy must support U-boats.
German approval for the new development ‘U-boats go forth’: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...oote-heraus.jpg
Count Kuno von Westarp, Conservative leader in the Reichstag, states Germany will seek territories and reparations after winning the war.
United Kingdom: Commodore Godfrey Paine appointed Fifth Sea Lord and Director of Air Services (succeeding Rear-Admiral Vaughan-Lee).
Turkey: Legal and literary faculties of Stamboul (Istanbul) University in Constantinople nominates Kaiser Wilhelm for the Nobel Peace Prize.
United States: U.S. Secretary of State Lansing announces normal diplomatic relations with U.S. and Mexico will be resumed immediately.
New York Department of Health orders all New York restaurants and lunch counters to obtain a license to ensure sanitation.