The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-11-03
The War For the Week

Cadorna executed this movement re-
fleets credit on his abilities as a
strategist. The description of this
retreat Is thrilling. Along the roads
poured troops, ammunition wagons,
guns, supplies, and civilians fleeing
with their household possessions be-
fore the Germans. Rear guard ac-
lions delayed the enemy, and took
their toll of Germans. All ammuni-
ton that could not be saved was de-
stroyed, and the, northern shore OF
the Adriatic must have presented a
scene Of the widest confusion, with
the country afiame and shaken with
great explosions.
Order Out of Chaos.
But order is being brought out Of
chaos. Several rivers flow into the
northwest corner of the Adriatic,
cutting almost across to the Austrian
border. The first of these is the
Tagliamento, which has its source in
Austria, and flows completely across
Italy to the Adriatic. On the western
bank of this river, General Cadorna
evidently intends to make his first
stand. By, destroying the bridges
after him, he can make the crossing
of the Tagliamento a very costly
operation for the invaders. If he is
not handicapped by a shortage Of
munitions, it is even possible that a
counter offensive may be undertaken
with French and British assistance.
The defeat was discouraging be-
cause it effectively ended all hope of
an early decision. There is no longer
hope Of an Italian drive against
Vienna or Trieste this year. and no
prolonged offensive can be expected
before spring at the earliest. From
military standpoint, therefore it
achieved all that the Germans hoped
for it. 1t removed the thorn in the
side of Austria. and expelled the in
vaders of Austrian soil.
Failure Politically.
From a political standpoint, how
over, it has failed. 1t has resulted in
uniting Italy, if dispatches from Rome
are to be believed, and all parties are
supporting the government. The
news of the victory was received
without a cheer from the Czechs in
the Austrian parliament, and the re-
port of 10000 killed among the in
vaders will Offset in part the 10000
prisoners taken by the Germans.
Prisoners are not wholly an asset to
Germany at this time, with food as
scarce as, it is. even though an Italian
in prison camp is preferable to one
with a gun in the italian lines.
Reports from Palestine indicate the
renewal of fighting there. with re-
suits favorable to the English. The
troops of the new Arabian nation are
now fighting side by side with the
British against the Turks. Beershe-
ba, only forty miles from Palestine,
has been captured. ana a junction has
been effected between the British and
ARABIAN armies.
The report of Sir Eric Geddes, the
first lord of the British admiralty,
was discussed in The Forum last
evening. 1t was distinctively favor
able, but it accentuated the need Of
continued and increased activity in
the shipyards.
Fighting on the Flanders front has
died down during the week, chiefly
owing to the weather and ground
conditions. The French and British
attempted an attack as diversion
to aid the Italians. but 1t was inn
possible to conduct infantry maneu-
vers on a big scale through oceans
of mud which engulfed the. men to
their waists or their necks.
President Kerensky's statement
that Russia must be relieved Of some
OF the burden Of the war told the
Allies nothing they did not know al
ready. On the whole II was favor
able. rather than discouraging, for it
gave renewed assurance that Russia
had not withdrawn from the war and
would not.
The week on. the whole, has been
trying one for the Allies. but it closes
with less uncertainty than the pre-
ceding one It is believed that the
worst Is now known. and hope is re-
placing fear where Italy is concern
ed.