Bisbee daily review., 1917-10-30
LINE HOLDING OUT AGAINST THE
 HUN
Reports From Rome Indicate That General Cadorna's Forces Are Consolidating. Retreat Costly to Allies.
(By Review Leased Wire. ]

WASHINGTON, Oct 29-Word from Rome today that the Italian line was holding against the terrific assault of the AustroGerman forces was received by official Washington with eager in- terest and frank relief Military au- thoriLies here have not disguised their anxiety as press reports showed the It. alians. wavering under the crushing blows of the enemy.
 Satisfaction was found also tonight in the announcement from London that steps had been taken by the French and British to support the Italian fIcnt. There was no indication of what operations that announcement might foreshadow
 Even accepting the German claims at face value. many officers here be- lieve General Cadorna will be able to check the drive if the morale of his army was not shattered. The an- nouncement from Rome that all eIe- ments of the Italian forces were obey ing orders of the general stan was viewed as setting at rest, for the time at least, the gravest fears for the final outcome of the struggle.
 Forces Reunited.
 The announcement was taken to mean that General Cadorna had sue ceeded in reuniting the forces scatter ed by the first fierce rush of the Aus tro-Germans and was falling back be- hind a well organized defense to the line selected for stand.
 Weekly Summary.
 In his weekly summary. made pub lie today. Secretary Baker said Italy was passing through critical moment. The statement was prepared before the full extent of the attack had developed. but it indicated the opinion in military circles here that General Codorna might find it necessary to surrender puch of the ground recently won by his forces when only the Austrians faced them.
 Stage Set ElaborateIy.
 The belief prevails here that the un- deriving motive of the German high command which is directing the attack and has furnished the men and guns for the drive. is a purely political one. Army officers point out that it was launched with lavish stage effects: with the Austrian emperor announced as in supreme command and with the German general von Mackensen as the guiding genius of the movement AL ready von Mackensen has swept back the Russian lines. over-run Serbia and all but crushed the Rumanian forces in similar drives. He is regarded as the striking head of the German war machine. the man of the hour when a headlong assault is ro be delivered
 Party Lines Vanish
 Reports from Rome that political party lines are vanishing in the great emergency. support the belief that no political upheaval is to be expected. On the contrary in the view of some dip lomats. the assault probably will serve to steel the Italian people to co-opera- tive effort against the enemy such as they have only dreamed of heretofore.
 Behind the position into which the Italians now have been forced lies the old defense line established many years ago by Italian soldiers. the line of '66. It was selected because of natural advantage and along the line new rail and wagon roads. distributing and all that is needed for he maintenance of a great army are said to have been provided in anticipa- ton of a backward movement