The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1915-05-31
Entrance Into War Understood to
Have Been Brought About by
Promise of More Land.
sAVOYS SEIZE MUCH TERRITORY
500 Square Miles of Enemy's Terrain
Taken by Advancing Army
Period to Mobilize Important
BY J. W. II. MASON.

of the eleventh belligerent into the
war this week, has been followed by
a rapid advance of Italian frontier
troops into Austria. Probably 500
square miles of the enemy's terrain
has been seized by the Italians. The
retreat OF the Austrians has been
general and indicated that the Teu
tonic commanders have agreed that
the war cannot be carried into Italy
at the start of the campaign.
The non-appearance of the German
troops during the first week of the
Italian war and the careful avoid
ance of battle by the Austrians is
conclusive evidence that the reports
were generally exaggerated which in
dicate that more than half a million
AustrO-Germans were mObiliZed
along the Italian frontiers. If any
such number as this had been ready
when Italy declared war, the north
ern Italian province would now be
invaded. Italy mobilization is GER
tain to take some time, and during
the period of mobilization, an excel
lent opportunity is afforded for a
demoralizing blow being struck.
That the Teutonic allies have not
been able to take advantage of this
opportunity may have an important
effect upon the Italian campaign for
the first serious blow must have the
large advantage in field operations
that will precede the trench opera
tiOns.
Toward Trieste.
Italy's direction of the concentra-
tion seems to be toward Trieste but
it is probable large bodies of troops
are being secretly ferried across the
Adriatic to Dalmatia and Albania
The forces doubtless will be used
to overrun Herzegovina and Bornia,
and to threaten flank attack against
Austro-Hungary. The transatlantic
movement may in fact become most
important of the campaign. 1t will
be capable not only Of relieving Sc
riOus Austrian pressure against the
Trieste advance, but also may COM
pei the Austro- Germans to abandon
their Galician offensive.
Gen. Mackensen's army has COM
pleted it's second weeks halt at the
San river after having driven across
IS miles of Galician territory in the
previous fortnight. The Russians
are making an excellent rally and
there is evidence that the Teutons
are short of ammunition. The ar
rival of Gen. Mackensen at the San
on May Is conceded with the sud
den critical stage of the Austro-
Italian relations. 1t is apparent
Austro-G Germany were compelled TO
cut down the army's demands for
ammunition.
Why Italy Entered.
Italy's entrance into the war is
understood to have been finally
bought by the allied powers with
an agreement guaranteeing Italian
possession of the territory wrested
from Austria for Is years after the
close of shostilities. This report is
being circulated among Englishmen
who do not favor the realization ot
Italian ambitions at the expense OF
non-Italian nationalities in the Aus.
trian empire.
The former Italian premier, Giol
it'll, opposed to the last Italy's par
ticipation in the war because he be-
lieved a war Of revenge would follow
the present strife in which Austro
Hungary and Germany will be able t.
isolate Italy and crush her. It !:
now fairly certain that England
France and Russia overcame the ar
gument of Signor Giolitti by prom
ising to defend Italy against attacl
for half generation after the sign
ing of peace terms. When that per
iod has passed, Italy must look aftel
her own interests and must protec
herself by new alliance based OF
conditions prevailing at that time
Russian Consent Difficult, :.
Russia's consent was the most diff
ficult because. to secure the Is years