The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-13
ITALY IN THE WAR.
Why She Entered 1t and What She
Has Accomplished.

To THE EDITOR Of II SUN--Sir: In
his letter In THE Sun OF December 10
Mr.. Charles kiener says that history
will characterize the entrance of Italy
into the great wal as "A farce. and that
the Italians in six months OF fighting
were not able TO accomplish anything
worth while. But II Mr.. kiener Is right.
will not history also say that after
sixteen months Of inconclusive fighting
Germany was forced to say TO her enc
mics thai she wac fighting no TO
have her place in the SUM-. but for her
life and liberty. and that she was ready
20 talk peace compatible with her dig
nifty? (Speech of Chancellor o Beth
mann-Hollweg) Isn't this "A tragi-
comic farce? The German Government
didn't hold this view when its soldiers
began the invasion OF Belgium and the
Austrians invaded Serbia. Only a Ger
man mind can conceive OF a Germany
compelled to fight for her life and lib
orty against Belgium and Serbia.
History will say hat Germany after
almost forty years of military prepara-
ton thought that the time had colne
when she could take everybody by sur
prise and win the hegemony of Europe
by defeating the nations one by one
History Will tell how the killing OF the
Austrian Archduke was used as n mere
pretext for adventurous and calanlitous
enterprise, and that the invasion of
Belgium was accomplished to take
France IN the back and on that side
from which the least resistance could
lie expected. History will tell also that
the German army was able TO invade
French territory and take French forts
only until tho French army was ready
TO meet tho German onslaught, and that
when that came the battle OF
the Marine clearly demonstrated hat
Germany had failed.
The historians will not have any din
Guilty In telling postertty that the Ger.
man army In sixteen months OF war
even with the famous 42s and poison
ous gases. was not able to cross the iar-
rier Intended FOR the protection OF France
from Nerdun to Belfort, and was able
to capture the Russian fortresses only
when the Russian army was not suffi-
ciently provided with heavy artillery
and munitions to cope with the enemy.
History will tell. among tho other things.
how Italy. conscious Of the intentions
Of her ex-alhes, did not want to play
the part Of the assassin by giving then,
her help. and that she had enough cour-
age and natioual dignity to fight the
criminal organization which had planned
the subjugation of Europe.
In respect to tho progress of the 1tal-
ian army II is sufficient to say tina,
victory is not counted in square miles,
and that as the fate OF Alsace-Lorraine
was decided far away from those two
provinces and the fate OF all Europe
on the plain OF Waterloo. so II may
he that the fate Of Trentino and Trieste
will he decided far from the territory
desired.
For the time being Italy Is satisfied "a
have released herself from an unnatural
alliance. to have closed thoroughly the
gate to a possible German-Austrian IN
vasion OF Italy, and to have kept busy
at least half a million Austrian soldiers
who would have been OF valuable help
on any other front.
Finally, 1t is not out of place to consider
tho difficulty of the territory in which
the Italians are fighting and the strong
natural positions protesting the Austrian
front. An Austrian official communica.
ton lately had to admit that tho ltal-
ians were determined To score a victory
at amy price on the middle Isonzo. II
hinted with some euphenism at the cap.
ture OF Gorilla Its fall cannot be very
long delayed. And when Gorlzia fail,
h tho square miles occupied by the
Italians may he multiplied.
l.. DONATE pI PAoLA.
JERSEY CITY. y. j., December II.