The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-11-03
ITALIANS HOLD LINE.
OFFICIAL wAsp1NeroN HEARS
NEWS FROM FRONT WITH
FRANK PEIAEF.
Many United States \Army omoers Be.
'icve That Gcneraf Cadorna Will be
Able to Check Drive Even IL Ger.
man Claims are We'll Founded.


washington, Oct. 29.-Word from
Rome today that the Italian line was
holding against the terrific assault Of
the Austro-German forces was re-
ceived by official Washington with
eager interest and frank relief MI;
tary authorities here have not dis
guised their keen anxiety as press re
ports showed the Italians waveriny
backward under the crushing blows OF
the enemy.
Satisfaction was found also n.
night in the announcement from,
London that steps already had been
taken by the French and British to
support the Italian front.
Even accepting the German claims
at race value. many officers here be-
iieVe 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 ele-
|
ments Of the Italian forces were obev.
ing orders Of the general staff was
viewed as setting at rest, for the time
being. at least the gravest fears for
the final outcome of the struggle.
The announcement was, taken to
mean that General Cadorna had sue
ceeded in reuniting the forces scat
tered by the first fierce rush of the
Austro-Germans and was falling back
steadily and behind a. well organized
defense to the line selected fop a
stand.
In his weekly summary. made pub
lie today. Secretary Baker said Italy
was passing through a critical mo-
ment. The statement was prepared
before the full extent Of the attack
had developed. but it indicated the
opinion in militayr circles here that
General Cadorna might find it neces.
sary to surrender much of the ground
won recently when only the Austrians
faced them.
The belief prevails here that tn.
underlying motive Of the German
high command which ig directing the
attack and furnished the men and
guns for the drive is a purely polit-
cal one. Army, officers point ou:
that 1t was launched with lavish stag,
| effects, with the Austrian emperor
announced AS in supreme command
and with the German General Won
Mackensen the guiding genius Of the
movement. Already Won Mackensen
has swept back the Russian lines.
overrun Servia and all but crushed
the Roumanian forces.
With such an association of disni-
taries leading the heralded on
slaught, some observers assert that
anything short Of the annihiiation OF
the Italian armies must be regarded
as a negative German victory. IL not
a defeat.
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. the view Of somo
diplomats, the assault probably viii.
serve to steel the Italian people to CO
operative 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 the Italian soldiers. the
line Of '66. 1t was selected because
Of natural advantages and along the
line new rail and wagon roads. dis
tributing machinery and all that is
necessary for the maintenance Of a
great army. are said to have been
provided in anticipation Of q back
ward movement.