World War One Diary for Thursday, April 12, 1917:

Home Fronts

Britain: London meetings celebrate US entry into war, US Ambassador says aim ‘to save the earth as a place worth living in’.

Austria: General Stager-Steiner succeeds General Krobatin as War Minister.

Russia: ­Law enlarges Estonia and permits it a Diet.

Western Front

Artois: Canadian troops storm Pimple hill north of Vimy Ridge, but 2 German ‘counter-attack’ divisions now holding Mericourt-Arleux line against breakout.

Politics

Spain: Government protests to Berlin for San Fulgencio torpedoed (April 9).

Costa Rica: Government places nations waters and ports at US disposal.

Neutrals

Switzerland: Bulgar and Austrian envoys make peace­feelers to Allies.