The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-25
Every Available Gun and Man
Pounding Cadorna on Julian
Battle Line
BERLIN FINALLY
ANSWERS VIENNA'S PLEA
Three Foremost Italian Posi-
tons Taken-Dr. Michaelis
Reported to Have Resigned
His Portfolio

London. Oct 24--one of the years
biggest drives set In today with a
carefully prepared. terrific Teuton at
tack against the Italians for which
every available Austrian and German
soldier and every available Teuton
gun have been quietly concentrated
for weeks. German direction, Ger
man men and German material are in
preponderance. The attacking front
IL on the Julian battle line and ex-
tends from Fitch southeastward via
the Tolmino sector TO the northern
edge OF the Bsinsizza Plateau. total
distance OF more than thirty miles,
Berlin officially announced today
the capture of the foremost italian
positions In each of these three vital
sectors.
The Rome war Office In it's daily
bulletin asserted that the blow will
fad the Italians steady and pre-
pared
To Crust, Dangerous Wedge.
The Immediate aim OF the offensive
is to crush In the dangerous wedge
General Cadorna has driven into the
Austrian lines. wedge which for
months has threatened to separate
the Austrian Ignuza- and-Carso- AZ
mies, completely isoiating the latter
and opening the way to klagenfur.
and Laiba CHI But there are other
motives behind this surprise CAM
paign, motives of transcendant po-
Iitical importance, Before these are
discussed it is necessary to point TO
the situation on the two other main
fronts the west and east, for the
three battle lines are today closely In
terdcpendent.
In the West French through their
whirlwfnd advance north OF the Aisne
Yesterday, In which they took more
than 5000 prisoners. including $50
officers. omfnously extended the pis-
tci point of their wedge threatening
Taon. the southern pivot of the sfeg-
fried line. In the two or three weeks
thns are still left for active lighting In
the west the sserraans hope re hold
| the French at bay. But one more
French blow like that OF yesterday
accompanied by final British drive
| In Flanders and tAe hope may be
shattered and incalculahie disaster,
aggravated by the winter which they
hopeh would save them. may over
take the Teu.ons.
Retirement on Riga Front.
Berlin announced today retire
ment on 8 wide front north of Riga.
This In an operation which they could
!
materially and the Gulf of Riga IL
! theirs, enabling them to land an army
IN the Russian rear the moment the
Muscovites threaten an attack
From a closely posted diplomatic
/ source the following outline of the cen
! trial powers plan of action was oh
| tanned tonight:
Haunted by sinister forethoughts OF
a combined American. British and
/ isyr, IN hn
| next year, Germany had set her mind
. on one thing--the elimination OF Rus
ala ITALY worried her little. But &c
meet the Armageddon In the west she
must have the bulk. II not all of her
huge army now in the east. Capture
OF the Gulf of Riga. with its tremend-
GUS military possibilities. was to be
the first step in Anal onslaught on
Russia.
II was we'll under way when Aus
fria, ever the wrecker OF Hindenourg'
fondest calculations. came along and
asked for help against Italy.
Food riots in Austria Hungary be-
came-and are becoming-more fire.
auent. more violent. daily. The peace
movement grew-apd is growing
hourly, while the cleavage between the
Germans in Austria and the other
races In the Hapsburg empire is widen
ms III rate dldIIrtiHB 10 ficHiia dnu
Berlin.
Great Need for Action.
Never since Brusflofrs 1915 drive
had there been such imperative. such
pitiftil need Of action, OF big, buster
ing military triumph. Germany hac
hers with the fall OF Riga and more
lately with the success in Baltic wa
ters:s enough to compensate weaken
ing spirits for the reverses at yerdur
and in Flanders. Now Austria de
manded hers.
Hindenburg first refused fatty.
Promptly the controversy, originally
confined to the two military high COM
mands. spread to the political high
pr;ests ~..If we can't have German
troops ara ammunition. we must have
peace" Was the hint shot from the
Danube capital 10 Wilhelmstrasse
Then began Austrian pressure in tbs
tseace term question. Count Sor
1,yernin openly called DIR. Michaeli,
weak and vacillating. He demanded :
c1ear-cut statement that Germany will
rive up Belgium. Hit In her sore spot
Eermany chopped. listened and yield
el--not In the peace term question
nut In the matter of helping Austria III
! military way. The present drive il
me result.
Two nights ago. as DIR. Won kuhl
mann sped homeward from vienEs
sfter a one-day's flying visit, In hi,
nockets the bargain, there was unloos.
~ on the Tolmino front the initia
ham bardment from the Krupps ana
Skodas, fulfilling the terms Of that
Rsrgaiu. Austria has been won ovol