New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-01
Allies Rushing
Guns and Men
To Save Italy
10000 Men,
1000 Guns
Lost by Italy

/ LONDON, Oct. 3l.--The Italian armies
are not yet out Of danger. but the mill
tary situation now is more hopeful than
at any other time since the great Teu-
tonic blow first fell on the Isonzo.
Although the Austro- German forces
have occupied nearly 1000 square miles
of Italian territory in their eight days
advance and have increased their capt
ures TO 10000 prisoners and more
than 1000 guns, General Cadorna's
rear guards are doing notable work in
retarding the progress Of the enemy
until the main armies can establish
themselves behind the strong Tagiia-
mento River line, and complete disaster
seems to have been escaped.
Retreat in Order
Reuters correspondent at Italian
army headquarters sends the follow
ing:
: Perfect order prevails among the
Italian troops on their new line OF de-
fence. They are eager again to oHer
combat to the enemy, and are confident
of their ability to turn the tables upon
the Austro- Germans.
/ "All the British troops on the Italian
( front were able to withdraw with the
/ Italian main body, majority OF them
in safety.
/ "Only six of seventy British Red
Cross ambulances were taken by the
enemy, but eight were abandoned in a
disabled condition. Two units and also
twelve nurses of the second and third
units, as we'll as twelve nurses of the
first unit, have not yet reached the
concentration posts, but it is believed
they have been delayed owing to the
difficulty Of transit"
On the north the invaders have
thrust TO within four miles Of the river,
but appear to be meeting stiff opposl-
ton. Along the centre Of the line. on
the plains of Friu.i, the Italian cav
airy is screening the retreat with good
effect, while the covering units along
the Adriatic coast arc resisting ees-
Lerately at the pivotal point from
which the entire front is steadily
swinging southwestward. As long as
this right flank, defended by ltaly's
finest fighters, holds firm. there is little
danger that the whole line will be
turned
A dispatch from Paris says Jules
Cambon. General Secretary of the Min
istry of Foreign Affairs, to-day ex-
pressed his firm conviction that the
Italians, with the aid of French and
/ British troops sent to reinforce them,
will stop the invasion Of Italian terri
] tory.
The Italians. said NJ. Cambon, are
stout-hearted people, who he was sure
would pull themselves together and
repair wha. he referred to as the "ac-
cident" which mad happened to part
Of their army.
The Germans and Austrans are still
moving forward TO fresh successes, but
the probability Of their striking a de-
cisive blow against Italy-which must
be regarded as the essential aim OF
their ampaign-becomes more and
more remote as each succeeding day
sees the Italian armies draw nearer to
their prepared defensive line without
destructive losses.
Waning Power of Attack
In the first four days of their often
sve the Austro-Germans captured
100000 prisoners and 700 guns. In the
last three days they have succeeded IN
increasing these totals by only 10000
men and 300 guns. In these figures,
however huge they may De regarded,
there is certain evidence OF the waning
power Of the Teuton attack and the in
creasing stability of the Italian de-
fence.
At the same time, the threat Of
German turning movement from the
north, along the upper reaches Of the
Tagliamento, has not been eliminated
entirely. although checked for the time
being by the flooded condition of the
stream. Already, according 10 Ca
dorna's official bulletins the enemy has
pushed forward northwest OF Udine,
which was taken yesterday, to within
four miles Of the river, where stiff
rearguard engagements are taking
place along the streams that thread the
Friuli plain and the low hills inter-
venng.
! On the heights of st. Daniele del
Friuli, three and three-quarter miles
east Of the river, and along the Ledra
; Canal. to the north. successful stands
were made by the Italian infantry and
cavalry while the main army contin-
ned it's retirement beyond. Fighting
of sharp nature has also been going
on near the Poecken Pass AID 81.
Pal. on the Austro-Italian border. 1t
is probable that Cadorna is preparing
20 draw in his lines here. the better
to protect the Tagliamento front in
the region Of Ampezzo and Tolmezzo.
As a last resort, Italy has called out
the military classes Of 1874 to 1899,
comprising men from 63 to Ss years
old. for e. new examination.
The political situation in Italy. IS
improving with the military situation.
T,a2rT.oone M,,f;nv.