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Rh, taking the German army in the right flank and rear, and captured the great centers of artillery and ammunition supply in Essen and the surrounding districts.

Germany, realizing that, with the Krupp and other factories in the hands of the enemy, the war must end automatically, accepted the friendly offices of the Swiss Government and the peace conference opened at Geneva.

And thus it came about that there gathered on the shores of the placid lake the most momentous conclave in all the history of the world.

Contrary to universal expectation the deliberations moved forward with a swiftness which, considering the enormous interests at stake, appeared to a nervously apprehensive world simply incredible. And herein was seen the advantage, costly though it had been in blood and treasure,