New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-01

MILITANT uIADQ JAN L LAN''
NORTHERN ITALY, Oct. 30.-Every-
thing for the moment has had to yieia
TO military necessities. and this will
explain the lack OF details. which can
now be given briefly, concerning one Of
the most momentous phases OF the val
The supreme command has no desire 10
keep the facts from the American, Brit-
ish or foreign public, but Ill sueh
supreme moment It's first consideration
il not to permit details which cen al
ford the enemy the slightest clew either
to what has occurred or what IS IN
store. :.
One of the commanding officers IN
formed the correspondent that the pup
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 eN-
trcmely few outside of the military au-
thorities. and all these eyewitnesSeS,
like the correspondent, are gladly re
spectine the decision which the SUI
preme command feels the situation re-
ouires. Within these narrow llmita-
tions few salient facts can be given.
General Cadorna's bulletin has struck
the KEYNOTE of the main operation IN
stating: "The violence OF their attack
and inadequate resistance broke our
left wing on the Julian front"
Struck at Weak Spot
This was issued Sunday and sums up
officially the sequel TO the tremendous
concentration Of Austro-German forces
detailed in earlier dispatches just be-
fore the critical juncture was reached
and all telegraphing was stopped. Inc
magnitude of the surprise offensive was
heightened by the choice OF a place
where comparatively no fighting had oc.
Cured. Had the enemy chosen any OF
the fighting front near Gorilla or the
Bainsizza plateau they would nave
faced splendidly organized forces. But
in "sneaking in through the back door. "
as an officer described the operation,
they were like thief who taxes
family unawares and is able for a time
TO terrorize those taken IN an uhsus-
pecting moment"
As previously cabled, late FRIDAY
night. the crossing of the lsonzo, near
Tolmino. was carried out The enemy
forces then found themselves facing a
ian army master of the passes leading
to the eastern region of Nenetia. Al
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 bombardment of Gorilla
and all along the Carso to Monfalcone
on the sea was terrific, but was not FOL
lowed by infantry advances, and was
clearly awaiting the development 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.
Praise Due Cadorna
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 SUI
preme command sought 20 put in force
in withdrawing enormous forces or
men and material. In such a gigantic
operation it is not surprising 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 high or
der which was able to extricate an
army from such a surprise attact.
The view now held in high quarters
is that this is not the time for con-
templating what already has been
done, but that every attention should
be given 10 redceming the situation.
One encouraging thought is that
everybody appears finally to have
walked up TO the existence Of the ltal-
ian front and the necessity If throw
ing back this stupendous exhibition Of
terroriSu