Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-05-28
AMERICAN ExPERrs GENERALLY
BELIEVE NATION WILL Dc
STRONG FACTOR.
ONE SCHOOL or THEoRlsrs
ARGUES OTHERWISE
Minority Believes speedy Move by
Tsutonie Allies Will Force Italians on
Defensive on Own Border and Nullify
Effects Of Entrance Into War-Emset
Depends Largely on Generals
Especial correspondence.l

Especial Correspondence.1
Washington. May %. -, ,Altho the
present war in Europe has shown how
little dependence can be placed on the
armchair strategy experts and on pa
per strength Of armies. the entrance Of
Italy into the war is affording all
manner of interesting speculation as to
what her army and navy will accom-
plish.
The test, Of course, will not be found
in opinions delivered with the italian
entrance into the war only few days
old. but in whether decisive victories
are won. On the whole, however, army
and navy men here are inclined to ex-
pect large achievements from Italy.
One school Of strategists and experts
70 convinced otherwise and predicts the
German-Austrian forces by a quick
drive down the valley of the Adige
from Bozen and Trent will either crush
back the Italian forces or will compel
them to stand indefinitely in condi-
ton Of helpless defensive. This can not
be said to be the prevailing view of
military men here. Realizing that both
the Italian army and navy Is up
against heavy fighting, the expectation
Is that both will give such ar account
Of themselves that, altho there may
be no march Of Italians to Vienna, the
Germans and Austrians will be obliged
to maintain enormous forces In south
western Austria in order to shield
Austria from an invasion that might
be decisive Of the war. The tendency,
~ "a fn kn
tary problem easier for the allies in
France and Belgium and for Russia in
Galicia and on the Russo German from
tier. Should Roumania enter the war,
with her magnificent army, the condi-
tons for the allies will be still further
improved.
Has 100000 Fighting Men.
Italy is credited with over 100000
lighting men. and while, ordinarily. it
would take many months to get such
force in the field, there is no doubt that
since the European war opened the
Italian government has been steadily
preparing for war. That the greater
part OF the force which she can mus
ter will be ready for business in a
short time y the opinion Of army men.
Some predict that two months time
0~AVAN0SO
100000 troops into the field and that
she win be found ready to open hos
stilities with about 1,50O.OO0 men.
It is well known to army experts
that the Italian standing army in late
years has been excellently trained, that
It's officers have developed greatly,
that it gained valuable lessons in,
Tripoli, and that 1t IL well equipped
With an excellent system Of strategic
railroads. II the Italian army is ca
iably led. army officials here as rule
think it will prove equal to the best
troops Of Germany and superior to the
Austrian forces.
One fact which has to be taken into
account is that the Italians are united
as nation In favor OF the war and
are entering 1t with enthusiasm and
fervor. It is true that some Of the past
performances Of Italian troops, such
as the Abyssinian campaign, have not
been such as to justify expecting much
Of them but there are many reasons
why the morale Of the Italian troops In
this war is likely to prove exceptionally
high.
Occasionally, an army officer here
takes the view that the Italian army
will prove the surprise Of the war and
will hammer its way to Vienna and be
che real instrument Of bringing about
peace.
Navy Stands High.
AS for the Italian navy. opinion Of 1t
lmong navy men is generally high
n recent years, it is credited with
laying made much advancement. It
Is pointed out. however. that the Aus
trian fleet, like the German, may prove
a hard proposition to force into q fight.
Most Of the strategists agree that
the Italians are going, IL the German
Austrian forces operating thru the
mountains southward from Trent do
not prevent them, to strike with q big
force from Udine eastward and south
eastward against Trieste. The coun-
try here is comparatively favorable
for big movement.
Other theories are that Italy will
throw q large force. Of men across
the Adriatic and move northward
against Austria from that side; that
Italian troops will be sent to the Dar-
danenes; and that an Italian army viii
be sent into France to help the allies
in. q smashing attack on the German
extreme left on the western front OF
the war area. Such movements are
doubtless contingent is1sstt oss 81. CT .he
supreme questions whether Italy after
coming to grips with the German-Aus-
TRAN forces in the north finds she can
spare troops for any or all Of them
A FACIAL REPAIR SHOP.
German Dental Surgeon Doing crsat
AAR-