<– Part 136 – February 25, 1917  | Part 137 – March 4, 1917 |  Part 138 – March 11, 1917 –>

US President Woodrow Wilson requested Congressional approval to arm US merchantmen on February 26. The Zimmerman Telegram was released to the press March 1, lending support to the president’s request, and the US House of Representatives passed the Armed Ship Bill that same day. However, following a filibuster in the Senate, the bill failed March 4 – thereby ending what would certainly have been war.

On March 3, the French response to the revolt in North Niger, led by Ag Mohammed Wau Teguidda Kaocen, is harsh, with entire villages destroyed and summary executions the order.

On the Somme, an extremely well-planned attack by Australian forces was launched March 4 against German lines. Few extensively-planned attacks have been undertaken since the catastrophic losses of trained troops in 1914, but the success of this one indicates troops are again gaining experience. German artillery attempting to push the Australians from captured trenches has failed.