The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-05-19
WAR ECHOES

Louisville Courier-Journal: It appears now that those military experts who were loath to speak with finality concerning the defeat of the Russians in Galicia were ago to be a hopeless and demoralized routing of the Cars right wing, now be-
 gins to wear the aspect of a hard pressed but still quite orderly and well directed retreat. Moreover, the news of the day indicates that while considerable has been lost in territory. men and ammunition, the where east of the Wisloka river but still short of Przemysl. Dispatches telling of the formation by the Russians of a new extensive battle front, running north and south, west of Przemysl, encourage the belief that at no point throughout the en- gagement has communication on the Rus sian front been severed or any section placed in immediate danger of envelop- ment. This alone could have made a re- oovery impossible-a consideration which probably explains the withdrawal with out pressure. of certain sections of the Russian center. noted in the dispatches about 10 days ago. Coming further down the line into southeastern Galicia and Bukowina, the dispatches are agreed upon Russian successes. Even Vienna comedies that raids by the Czars troops in this dis trict have overcome the Austrian oppo- sition. Thus it appears that only the
 Russian right wing and a part of the cen
 ter has been badly punished or is at pres ent in precarious condition. Limitations are not lacking that this part of the army
 is now receiving endorsements which
 may enable it to turn it's present desperate stand into an aggressive movement. Once
 such movement is gotten we'll under
 way in the north we may expect an ad-
 vance which-participated in by the center and the left-will eclipse even the spec
 tacular drive that the Germanic forces
 have made.
 St. Louis Globe-Democrat: One of the
 most incomprehensible things about the entire war to Americans is the attitude
 of Italy. Bound by the terms of the triple alliance of 1882, often renewed it was at
 first thought that it would aid Germany
 and Austria Hungary in the war. It's ar
 sument that it was to help it's allies only in defensive war and it's insstence on
 the right to determine for itself the char
 acter of the war, caused general suspi-
 cion that Italy was moved more by dis
 cretion than by feeling of duty. Any
 prospect of Italy joining it's allies vanished
 long ago. The only question now seems
 to be whether Italy will stay out of the war or enter it against it's allies. The King appears to have been bent on peace. His cabinet has shown a willingness to preserve peace, provided Austria surren- der territory which Italy lost under the peace of 1866. That this territory to the north should belong to Italy is argued by tradition and by topography That Austria owns coast filled with indenta- tions very desirable to Italy is also clear. But that Italy should at this late date try
 to reopen the peace terms oflsC6 particu- larly after forming an alliance with Aus tria Is years afterward. is comprehensi- ble only as Japans activity in the orient is understandable.
 The papers are clamorous for war. un- I less Austria makes all. the concessions requested. The politicians who are most widely known to the world are in accord | with the press Milan has proclaimed a strike to force war. The populace at Rome seems to be equally clamorous. Yet it is the opinion of some observers of | recognized sagacity that the great bulk
 of the Italian people oppose war. If this be true they should begin to assert their position in an impressive way. The clamor for a republic, in the interest of
 war. may force Victor Emmanuel to sur
 render to the war party. His persuading l Salandra to retain the premiership may
 be regarded as sign of yielding. Yet 1t all may be in the interest of further delay It Is possible that Italy will follow the | example of other neutral countries and await the result of the controversy be- 1 tween the United States and Germany be- fore deciding on its course But whatever
 1t does. 1t will never be able to convince the world that its motives have been wholly noble.