Technology

Did the Central Powers and the Allies really believe that the new technology would turn the tide of the battle? I mean in any case it more or less it prolonged the war much more further than it needed to be. The British only used poision gas to attack a German position and it came back to bite them really bad and the Germans used poision gas and flame throwers to try to take down the fortress and Verdun but that ended as another failure. So I wonder if the commanders put too much trust in the new technology, or if its just bad stratagey, or if the new technology wasn't ready to make a significant break through.  

The Japanese with Allies in WWI????

I know that I was ignorant from that information since my knowledge leans more to WWII not WWI. But when I learned that the Japanese was actually with the Allies during WWII helping us against the Axis I was very surprised and a little shocked. I always viewed the Japanese as being against the Allies not working with them. I also found it a little ironic because we bascially handed over China over to Japan to help start their imperialistic march.