Evening star., 1917-12-02

by the conflict rests the chief argument
against a dictatorship.
The sessions In France are being
watched with greatest interest.
| 4 4
"If tie enemy ever does get past. ow-
ing to superior generalship or superior
strength Of guns,
Italy Battling to it viii on'. .s be
Hold Piave Line. boaie. Of our
troops. for they are determined never
| to yield.n
This utterance of Gen. Garibaldi is
destined to become one Of the shining
beacon lights in the story of Italy's
great defense against the ruthless and
mighty Austro-German invader. After
two weeks Of tremendous battle the
Italian armies. outnumbered, 1t is de-
termined, three to one, have stood
steadfast on the River Piave and the
mountains skirting the Venetian plains.
They have been fired to the highest
pitch and have won laurels which will
make brilliant the pages of history.
These Italians. assailed by a superior
enemy from the standpoint of numbers
and guns. have fought with their handA.
knives, unsheathed bayonets. clubs Of
many occasions strenuous attacks have
been directed against them and 1t ap-
peared for the moment that there was
danger OF the enemy breaking through.
Men have sent trinkets to loved ones
at home and then gone forward against
the foe with full knowledge that their
moments of life were to be short. But
Italy has been at stake and the fact
that their beloved nation and armies
were threatened was sufficient to in
IN m T.
most in the ceaseless maelstrom of
conflict. Words utterly fail to reveal
the heroism of the italian defense.
Gen. Diaz's men have fought as no
the present war. Napoleon dismissed
the Piave line as impracticable of de-
fense. But the Italians today are hold
ing it and holding firm. They have ac-
own commanders dreamed impossible.
though having delivered orders that the
positions should be held until further
lines Of defense to the rear might be
prepared.
A thrill of enthusiasm swept over
Italy and the whole world arrayed
against the central powers and their
allies during the past week when 1t
was announced that vast French and
British armies. with heavy weight Of
guns and supplies. had arrived at the
battle front in Italy. This news meant
that the Italian armies were saved, for
during the entire retreat and present
defense before the Hun the Italians
Ing. The men are worn and distraught
by the very frightfulness of the pro-
longed struggle which they have been
forced to continue. with little rest, lit
scared by the blasts Of battle. The ad-
vent of the French and British means
that these italian soldiers who are
about ready to drop in their tracks in
vrfn Syof roIt tnf ov,I f,,v
thermore the line all the way from
Lake Garda to the mouth of the Piave
will be so strengthened that the Aus
tro-Germans will find 1t extremely diff
fcult, II not impossible, to shatter the
enemy's positions and sweep down over
the plains of Venetia. The allied forces
have not reached their positions on the
front line. but they will soon be in the
, supply bases are arranged and other
preparations made behind the front
The chief German efforts of the past
week have been directed on the east
and west banks
| Chief German of the River
Efforts on Brenta. Cen Won pe,ow
and Gen. Krobatin. the Teutonic COM
manders. hope to sweep southwark to
Bassano and force the whole Italian
| line to the south. Attack after attack
has been delivered In this region They
have been turned back in the main.
/ Austrians and Germans have been ver-
itably moved down by the terrific ar
tillery and machine gun fire directed
against them by the soldiers of Gen.
Diaz. In many cases they reached the
Italian lines ana as a result carnage
reigned, but the Italians almost in
variably emerged victorious. Such
| minor reverses they have suffered
but little affect the general situation.
where Monte Grappa. Montfenera.
Monte Pal'one and Monte Tomba are
located, the Teutonic armies have been
not whit less industrious in their
efforts to smash through. and as a re-
fsuit OF their attacks in this region
alone during the past several days at
least six divisions have been forced
] to retire to reform themselves. One
division was literally cut to pieces by
the Italians.
One of tho significant features of the
present series Of battles is the work
or the italian artillery. In these noun
tam positions the Italians have a
their guns to the best advantage than
nave the French and British on the
western front. where the character of
terrain is more suitable to maneuvers.
The Italian artillerymen have held su-
perior numbers Of German artillery
units at bay and. in fact. have inflicted
severe punishment on the enemy. As
] an indication of the unity Of purpose
existing among Italian soldiers of to-