Bisbee daily review. [volume] (Bisbee, Ariz.) 1901-1971, 1917-11-01
SURPRISE GIVEN
AS REASON BACK
OF HUN VICTORY
II e avy Concentration of
Forces by Austrians and
Germans on Italian Left
Wing Demoralized the De-
Tending Forces.

ITALIAN HEADQUARTERS IN
NORTHERN ITALY, Tuesday. Oct.
30, 8 p. m. (By the Associated Press).
Everything for the moment has had
to yield to military necessities. and
this will explain the lack of details
which now can be given briefly con.
corning 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 for
ign public. but in such a supreme
moment its first consideration is not
to publish details which can afford
the slightest clew either to what has
occurred or what is in store.
One of the commanding officers in.
formed the correspondent that the
public should be placed on guard
against reports which doubtless would
spread from scattered information.
The fact is those who have actually
witnessed the recent stupendous dra.
mar are extremely few outside the
military authorities, and all these who
are witnesses, like the correspondent,
are gladly respecting the decision
which the supreme command feels
the situation requires. Within the
narrow limitations a few salient facts
can be given
General Cadorna's bulletin has
struck the keynote of the main OPP
Grafton in stating:
cadorna's Bulletin
"The violence of their attack and
inadequate resistance broke our left
wing on the Julian front"
This was issued Sunday and sums
up officially the sequel to the tre-
German forces detailed in earlier dis
patches just before the critical juno
ture was reached and all telegraph
ing was stopped. The magnitude OF
the surprise offensive was heightened
by the choice of place where COM
paratively no fighting had occurred.
Had the enemy chosen any of the
fighting fronts near Gorizia or the
Bainsizza plateau they would have
found splendidly organized forces. But
in "sneaking in through the back
door," as an officer described the op-
Grafton, they were like a thief who
takes a family unawares and is able
for a time to terrorize those taken in
an unsuspecting moment"
ToImino Crossed
As previously cabled. Friday night.
the crossing of the Isonzo near Tol-
mino 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 We
netia. At the same time the Austro-
Germans made feints along the whole
southern front so as to prevent the
Italians from moving reinforcements
to the extreme north. Their bonn
bardment of Gorilla and all along the
Carso to MOnfalcone on the sea was
terrific. but was not followed by in
fantry advances and was clearly
awaiting the developmonet of Won
Mackensen's turning movement on
the north.
General Cadorna's bulletin must be
accepted for the moment as all that
can be stated of what occurred on
the Italian left wing
The correspondent. having wit
messed 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 enor-
nous forces of men and material. In
sue ha gigantic operation it is not
surprising that everything did not
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