Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-09-02

The Three Obstacles.
The Austrian front presented three
distinct obstacles. which may be COW
cred in a description Of the three di-
visions of an armyLthe tanks and
the center. On the north, from Tolmi-
no right down to the neighborhood OF
Gorizia, the Austrians occupied very
high ground on the east bank OF the
Isonzo river. which was. in fact. a
moat. This high ground. known as the
Bainsizzi plateau, eliminated q rev
miles north Of Gorilla in several heights:
approaching 1000 feet In elevation. OF
which Mounts Kuk and Santo were the
position that well might have been
deemed impregnable, and it did. In fact.
resist all efforts last year South OF
the Bainsix9i plateau the Austrian
center occupied some hills Just acr9ss
Southwark. again. between the Wip-
pach river and the sea. the Austrian
line stood east Of the 1sonzo on the
nrst slopes Of the famous Carso
plateau. a limestone formation IN
In August Of last year the Italians
forced the crossing of the 1sonxo ana
took Gorizia and south Of the Wip-
up the Carso. but their position in
Gorizfa was made precartous by the
Austrian hold upon Kuk and Monte
santo. which dominated the town from
on the hills Of Dosso Faiti and Mount
Hermada to the south.
Accordingly. earlier this year the
italians made q new drive south Of the
high ground about 1t. but were again
held up west of the Hermada- This
was the situation As 1t existed when
the Italians began their new offensive
now going forward. This time the
north on the Bainsixsi plateau. Cross
ing the Isonxo river under IRE. the
italians climbed up the face OF the
hills. in part covered by the forces on
Mount Kuk. which was captured IN an
28 Monte santo and the whole Of the
Bainsixgi plateau were falling into
italian hands. and the Austrians were
being driven rapidly eastward. Al
though they still hold Mount Gabrielle.
What Austrian Rout Would Mean.
At the present moment the situation is
this: The Austrian right on the 1sonso
plateau has been defeated and perhaps
routed. 1t is falling back rapidly. and a.
1t falls back 1t will compel the center fac
ing Gorilla to fall back also. and thus will
enable the Italians to concentrate their
fire upon the Carso positions. It win also
Wippach river and partially encircls the
Carso plateau. At tho same time they
are hammering at the Hermada works.
and the present promise is that within the
movement forward Of the whole Italian
army In the direction Of Trieste.
But many strong positions still remain
to be captured. and unless there 10 an
actual Austrian rout the time e not yet
Trieste. On the other hand. an Austrian
rout would mean that tho Italians would
pour forth through tho gates between the
Julien Alps and the sea and begin . sen.
into Austria. AZ pointed out last year.
the Isonzo position Is a magnified Thor
mopylae. AS long as tho Austrtans hold
are not able to make themselves felt. and
the entire action 10 restricted to thirty
mile front. Italy has great numbers
available; Austria has ever shrinking con-
ing character might easily presage the
beginning of the end as far as Austria is
II is interesting to note that the Italians
owe considerable Of their present sue
been sent to this front: They ara also
being aided by a new form Of monitor,
which is operating on their sea flank.
The Italian offensive on the Isonso has
among the successful local operations on
the western front. 1t compares favorably
with the gains made by the French and
the British at the Sonme. It has sur
passed the British achlevement Ct Ypres
this year in the amount OF ground gained.
It may prove to be the blow that breaks
up trench warfare and leads to open hght-
ing on the Austro-Italian front But 1t IL
yet too soon to forecast this.
We see q military operation Of relatively
restricted importance. which constitutes
one Of the great moral victories OF the
war Prince Won Bulow once said. IN the
days before the war that Morocco was q
she wished to attract French attention.
Verdun has become . bell which France
can strike whenever she desires to prove
the faliacy Of the German claim that
France il exhausted and incapable Of fur
Their lighting.
aermany's Aim At verdun.
The story Of verdun il familiar to the
whole world. 1t was an effort on the part
Of Germany to do on the Mouse what she
had failed to accomplish ut the Marine. In
its nrst phase. between February 81 and
February 90. 1915. 1t was an effort to
break the French line and crush the
French spirit by q disaster which should
exceed the proportions Of Sedan and rival
German eshievsmsnt At the Dunajec in
After five days the French succeeded
u ptnntng down the German attack. which
had Temporarily forced their line and
Ihattered their defense. and thefsaftsr the
Tho GeEunoN1. NJ lo0R0P 0h2A tn EenGh