Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-11-01
SURPRISE, ELEMENT
OF DRIVE ON ITALY
Teutons "Sneaked In through
the Back Door," as One Of.
f1cer Tells II.

italian Headquarters in northern
italy, Oct. 81. (by the Associated
Press).--Everything for the moment
mas had to yield to military necessi.
ties. and this will explain the lack Of
Details which can now be briefly given,
concerning one Of the most momentous
phases of the war. The supreme COM
mand has no desire to keep the facts
from the American, British or foreign
pubic. but in such a supreme moment
its nrst consideration 10 not to permit
details which can afford the enemy the
slightest clue either to what has &C.
Cured or what is In store.
One Of the commanding officers in.
formed the correspondent that the pub
lie should be placed on guard against
reports which doubtless will be spread
from scattered information. The fact
Is. those who have actually witnessed
the recent stupendous drama are ex-
tremely few outside Of the military au-
thorities. and all these eye witnesses,
like the correspondent, are gladly re-
specting the decision which the supreme
command feels the situation requires.
Within these narrow limitations a few
salient facts can be given.
General Cadorna's bulletin has struck
the keynote Of the main operation in stat
ing: THE Whence Of their attack and
inadequate resistance broke our left wing
on the Julian 'front.'
This was issued Sunday and sums UP
of1cially the sequel to the tremendous con-
centration Of Austro-German' forces de-
tailed In earlier dispatches Just before the
critical 1uncture was reached and all teie-
graphing was stopped. The magnitude Of
the surprise offensive was heightened BY
the choice OF place where comparatively
no fighting had occurred. Had the enemy
chosen any Of the fighting fronts near
Gorilla or the Bainsissa plateau they
would have faced splendidly organized
forces. But In "sneaking in through the
back door" as an officer described the
operation. they were like thief who
takes family unawares and Is able for
a time to terrorize those taken in an un-
suspecting moment"
AS previously cabled. late Friday night.
the crossing of the Isonzo near Tolmino
was carried out The enemy forces then
found themselves facing a range Of low
mountains with the Italian army master
of the passes leading to the eastern region
of Venetia. At the same time the Austro-
Germans made feints along the whole
southern front so as to prevent the Ital-
ians from moving reinforcements to the
extreme north. Their bombardment Of
Gorilla and all along the Carso to Mon
falcone on the sea was terrific. but was
not followed by infantry advances, and
was clearly awaiting the development of
Won Mackensen's turning movement on
the north.
General Cadorna's bulletin must be &C.
cepted for the moment as all that can be
stated Of what occurred on the italian left
wing.
The correspondent. having witnessed the
retirement and having been an unwilling
participant for three days in the almost
incredible hardships. can testify to the
fortitude of the main body Of the Italians
and also to the splendid organization
which the supreme command sought to
put in force In Withdrawing enormous
E7EaAs- OF men and material. In such a
that everything did not move like CLOCK
work or that all did not move IN con-
cert. But there were evidences every
where of military genius Of a high order
which was able to extricate an army
from such a surprise attack.
The view now held in high quarters
is that this is not the time for contem-
plating what already has been done. but
that every attention should be given to
redeeming the situation. One encouraging
thought is that everybody appears finally
to have walked up to the existence OF the
Italian front and the necessity OF throw
ing back this stupendous exhibition OF
terrorism.