Imperial Valley press., 1915-05-25
What War Moves Mean.
(By j. w. r. Mason)
(Former European Managers for The
United presS)

United BreSS)
New York, May 22.-lf Italy meets
with no success and if the Austro-
i Germans were able to invade her
wealthy northern districts, anti-mon-
archical revolution may break out and
may overthrow the House of Savoy.
Recent rioting throughout Italy
shows the temperament of the ltal-
ians and does not bOde well for the
spirit of self-sacrifice under defeat.
Unquestionably the Italian populace
believes it will have an easy time
overcoming the Austro-Germans.
After nine months of eXhaustine
struggles for the Teutonic allies, il
would be highly unpatriotic for any
Italian to suggest that the Italian
troops would be unable to do as they
please.
As a matter of fact, it is uncertain
whether the Italians would succeed.
If successful, they must win quickly.
Whichever side makes the most vigol'-
Gus initial rush will gain an enormous
advantage in the subsequent trench
warfare Italians never do things well
at the first attempt. This was evil
denced in Tripoli, where the early
fighting proved their leadership inef-
ficient.
Whether Germany will wait until
the end in the hope of a peaceful
settlement or will make a sudden ef
fort to cross the Italian mountains be-
fore war is declared is a question OF
momentous consequence. If it is war
the Germans are prepared to strike,
and if they carry the mountain bar
riers and plunge into the plains Of
Italy their hold may be permanent.
The result would be disappointing to
the Italians.
If phlegmatic England's dissatisfae-
ton is able to overthrow Il govern
ment, among temperamental Latins
defeat may mean exile for royalty.
Then Italy may become republic.
New York, May 25.--How soon 1t
ally will be ready to begin her main
offensive movement against Austria
depends ON the rapidity of her mobll- .
izaton. During the last month only
the troops of the first line have been
maintained on a war footing. Con-
centration of most of these troops be
fore mobilization is complete will leave
several frontier points perilously un-
guarded. Unless the Italian general
staff hopes to duplicate the initiative
of the Germans last August and risk
everything on the success of a sudden I
blow, there may be considerable de
lay in the offensive being uncovered. .
italy, in fact, is not in Germany's po-
sition Germany knew then she could
mobilize quicker than France and was .
able to go forward without waiting a
full mobilization. But the Austrians .
and Germans are guarding the lines
of march the Italians can follow. A
surprise rush might lead to an initial
defeat which would seriously affect the
Italian morale.
The risk of the consequences of an
early reverse, with the possibility of
the enemy securing a strong foothold
on Italian territory, seem too daring
for the strategists of Rome to coun-
tenance. They will probably decide to
hold strictly to the defensive until
mobilization is advanced sufficiently .
to ensure the proper support of the
first liners.
How long it will be before the mo-
biization is complete cannot be known
in advance. The German plans of mo-
biization were drawn up in time of
peace and were the only ones which
stood straight during the August cam
paign. That Italy will do better than
France is improbable. 1t is believed
that Frances mobilization theoreti-
cally was as perfect as Germany's, but .
experience proved otherwise. If Italy's
mobilization is advanced enough to
support the main offensive in a fort
night she will have displayed marvel I
Gus ability. The train service of Italy
is the slowest on the continent. 1t Is
doubtful if Italy's railroad system will /
bear the strain of mobilization with