Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-11-07
THE ITALIAN REVERSE

The German stroke against Italy was planned with
great skill and delivered with vigor. Its resulA have
been disastrous to italy and unfortunate for the Allied
cause. 1t has not yet been made clear whether the weak
spot/in the ItaNan line existed. and the Germans were
permitted to reach 1t because of lack Of generalship on
the part Of some of the italian commanders. or whether
tho trouble was due almost entirely to q lack Of ammu-
milton for which the Italians were not responsible.
There seems to be no good basis for the statement
that has been made BY some writsrs that the Italians
lack in fighting qualities and that while they acquitted
themselves creditably whom pittsd against the Austrian
troops, &who rank considerably below Germans, French
and British. they are ou&classed when confronted by =
really high grade army. The lighting on the Italian front
has been different from that anywhere else. The whole
district is mountainous. Transport 10 exceedingly Diff
cult. 1t has been necessary to carry = large part Of the
supplies needed by the army up steep mountain paths
where pack saddles took the place Of railroad trains.
The feats that have been performed in dragging great
guns\by hand to the tops Of mountains have been wonder
full. Some Of the troops have been stationed in the
regions Of perpetual snow. And the verdict Of observers
is that through all this the italian soldiers have acquitted
themselves with courage: and that they have shown -
high a degree Of fighting spirit 4s have any other troops
In Europe. And in theN retreat which was finally forced
on the Italians by numSrical superiority ana immense
superiority in gun power there was7no evidence Of panic.
The armies were withdrawn in good order.
The fact that French and British troops are being
rushed to the rescue. and that some Of them are now on
the fighting line in Italy, indicates a recognition on the
part Of the Allies commanders that q mistake was made
in not heedlng the appeals Of Italy for munitions weeks
ago. But. while certain troops are being diverted to the
Italian front, there Il no reason to believe that such q
diversion will be made a. will materially weaken the
forces in tho west. Germany has struck 4 hard and
telling blow against Italy, and 1t is almost certain that
one Of herr purposes in doing SO was to divert the atten-
ton Of the Allies from the French and Belgian front
whore the pressure on Germany is becoming unbear.
able. To drag a herring across the trail In order ia
mislead the hounds is an old trick. but 1t will not worl
this time.
Every front Is important. but, If Germany Is to wiz
this war, she must fight her way through to the Englist
channel. Her commanders know this and 10 do he,
opponents. And the Allied commanders have determin'
ed, not only that there shall be no German advance to the
channel, but that on the western front. whore Germany
has massed her finest troops in almost incalculable mum
bers, Germany shall be forced back and back until shl
will be compelled to abandon the Belgian coast with it
submarine bases. and ultimately to abandon all thu
French and Belgian territory she occupies. The matr
theatre Of the war is in tho west, and there 1t will re
main, and while important developments may take place
elsewhere, it is in the west that the war will be decided