Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-05-25
|1ALY'S ENTRANCE
Nay DECIDE war
UNITED STATES EXPERT DE-
cIAREs ROME HOLDS BAL
ANcE or POWER.
AUSTRIA TO IMPLICIT
INITIAL PUNIs++MENT
Has Advantage u Position in Open.
ing Hessilities- Can Not Withstand
New and Foresfui Attack For Long
-Reumania and Other Balkan States
Expected to Follow Italy.
,lBy the Military Expert Of the New
York Times.l

IBy, the Military Expert of the New
York Times.l
New York, May 25.-The most vital
event of last week in Europe was the
combined action Of the Italian people.
their parliament and their cabinet
action that aligns the Italian arms
with the allies and threatens to carry
in it's wake practically all the Balkan
states.
There can be no question as to the
effect Ita1y's entrance into the war will
have. The size of her modified force.
while it is probably much exaggerated
by the European press. is, neverthe-
less. at least 100000 men.
This huge force is well equipped and
has ample guns and ammunition. In
point of fact, it is probably better mu-
nitioned than a corresponding number
Of any other power in the field. Italy
also is in condition of being prepared
after the lesson of the war has been
learned-without having learned it. as
in the case with the other participants
at a terrific cost in men and money.
italy Holds Balance.
Italy's resources are as yet I'M
touched. her soldiery unscathed and
eager. She may, therefore, well be re-
garded as holding the balance of power.
thrown into the scale at time when
her enemy is almost exhausted.
1t Is not to be expected, however, that
Italy will walk oyer and take Vienna
with but little opposition. The present
northeastern boundary between Italy
and Austria runs south Of the submits
of the Carnic Alps. These submits
are occupied in force by Austrian
troops. The first step that Austria will
take, therefore. will be to descend the
southern slopes and invade venetia.
Austria Must Fight Alone.
Having the advantage of position,
Austria may be expected at the outset
to inflict on Italy initial reverses. But
ii is impossible, in view of Italyss pre-
paredness and Austria's condition, that
these reverses should be of long dura-
ton. Austria has not enough men or
sufficient vitality to maintain a sue
cessful stand against such large new
army. Moreover, she can expect no
aid in that quarter from Germany. Ger
Austria must tight # ont alone.
Italy's entrance into the war 10 some
what problematicaL but the chances of
her acton influencing Roumania. at
least. are strong. Roumania. like italy,
has been delicately balanced between
peace,and war for months. Her reason
for wanting war are identical with
Italy's-that territory inhabited by
Roumanians is governed by Hungary.
Roumania has modified on the Tran
sylvania frontier about 100000 men,,
Roumania Has Veterans.
Many Of these are veterans Of the
Balkan wars, who know what 1t means
to be under fire. They also are we'll
equipped. well ammunitioned, and rich
in knowledge gained thru their own ex-
perience and the experience Of the bel
ligerents during the last nine months.
The geographical location Of Bull
garia, however, makes this nation much
more important to the allied cause, and
beyond doubt battle of diplomacy is
being constantly waged to bring about
her Intervention. The importance of
Bulgaria is found in the problem Of
communication. supply and the great
assistance Bulgaria could render in the
movement against Constantinople., The
military strength Of Bulgaria Is about
the same as that Of Roumania and IL
thrown against Turkey would probably
eliminate Turkey from serious con-
sideration.
Russ. Haze clsarsd Away.
Operations Of the last week have
cleared away the haze that concealed.
or At least blurred. the true situation
Of Russia as q result Of the Austro-
German drive that started from the
Dunajec line some weeks ago. While
the loss In prisoners and gums - . mat
ter on which we have only German and
Austrian reports. the loss Of territory
and the new Russian line can with fair
accuracy be traced from the reports Of
all parties. The Russians retreat has
carried them across the San river to
their old defensive positions in its rear.
In spite Of the utter, defeat of the
Russian Carpathian movement, it does
not appear that the German plan has
been entirely successful or that the
Russian arms have met anything like
disaster.
The Russians on the Stry line, how
e,e1. s.ve at least least he'll; their own.