Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-11-01
Cadona, in Brief Statement,
Says Violence of Onslaught
BROKE Our Left Wing"
Which Sums Up Situation,
WEAK POINT ON LINE
CHOSEN FOR ASSAULT
Incredible Hardship Undergona
by Army as Orderly With
drawal Is Carried Out; Italy
Awake to Grave Danger,

tsv MORNING JOURNAL srselAL Ls.sso wrsgl
Italian Headquarters in Northern
Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 80 c. p. M. BY
the Associated Press) Everything
for the moment has had to yield to
military necessities and this will eX-
plain the lack. of details which now
can be given briefly, concerning one
OF the most momentous phases of the
war. The supreme command has no
desire TO. keep the facts from the
the American, British or foreign pub
lie but in such a supreme moment its
first consideration is not to publish
details which can afford the enemy
the slightest clew either to what has
occurred or what is in store.
Few Witness Retreat.
One of the commanding officers in
formed the correspondent that the
public should be placed on guard
against reports which doubtless would
spread from scattered Information
The fact Is those who have actually
witnessed the recent stupendous
drama are extremely few outside the
military authorities and all these who
are witnesses like the correspondent.
are gladly respecting the de,.~:on
which the supreme command feels the
situation requires.
Within the narrow limitations few
! sslient facts can be given.
General Cadorna's bulletin has
| struck the keynote of the main oper-
alton In stating:
"The violence of their attack and
Inadequate resistance broke our left
wing on the Julian front"
Didn't Choose Strong Point.
This was issued Sunday and sums
up officially the sequel to the tremen-
dous concentration of Austro German
forces detailed in earlier dispatches
Just before the critical juncture was
reached and all telegraphing was
stopped.
The magnitude of the surprise Of
fensive was heightened by the choice
of a place where. comparatively no
fighting had occurred. Had the enemy
CHOSEN any of the fighting fronts near
Gorilla or the Bainsizza plateau they
lied forces. But in "sneaking in
through the back door" as an officer
described the operation, they were
like a thief who takes a family un-
awares and Is able for time to ter
rorize those taken In an unsuspecting
moment.
Await Mackensen's Move.
AS previously cabled. late Friday
night, the crossing of the Isonzo near
Tolmino was carried out. The enemy
forces then found themselves facing
range of low mountains with tho
Italian army master of the passes
leading to the eastern region of Vene-
tia. At the same time the Austt0-
Germans made feints along the south
ern 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 followed by infantry adj
vances and was clearly awaiting the
development of Won Mackenson's
turning movement on the north.
General Cadorna's bulletin must he
accepted for the moment as all that
can be stated of what occurred on the
Italian left wing.
Italian Troops Heroic.
The correspondent, having witnessed
the retirement and having been an I'M
willing 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 sII-
preme command sought TO put In
force in Withdrawing enormous forces
Of men and material. In such
gigantic operation II Is not surprising
that everything did not move like
clock work or that all did not move
III concert. But there were evidences
everywhere of military genius of n
cate an army from such surprise at
tack.
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 TO redeeming the situation.
One encouraging thought Is that
everybody appears finally TO have
walked up to the existence of the Ital-
ing back this stupendous exhibition of
| terrorism.
Stone Is Trust Officer.
Washington, Oct S1.---Ralph Stone