The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-11-10
BY EDWARD w. PIcKARp.

The great Austro-German drive into
northeastern Italy, and the magnifi-
cent resistance to the invasion organ
lied by General Cadorna backed by
united and thoroughly aroused coun-
try held the center of the war stage
last week. For strategic reasons, the
Italian general staff would not per-
NIT publication of full details of the
operations, but this much is known:
The northern italian army, the weak
est Of ALL was broken by a furious
surprise attack while feint attacks
saeT assSssr = the
First army, and In turn the Third, be-
Ing outflanked, were compelled to fall
back across the Isonzo and into the
! Friuli plains. The Third army, I'M
I der the command of the duke Of Aosta
| retreated IN orderly fashion and saved
| oil its guns and material but the 9th
ers lost about 10000 men and 1900
guns, and immense quantities Of
stores were destroyed to keep them
from falling into the enemys hands.
Generally speaking, the retreat was
conducted In a masterful way and the
armies fell back to the Tagliamento
river, while the rear guards delayed
the pursuing Teutons and the cavalry
| harassed them. Meanwhile the Ger
mans were trying hard to break
through the Carnic Alps in order to
%y,N, 10 1DF n1y 30 To- Itnt ont
line, but the troops in the passes at
last accounts were holding them fairly
we'll. In case they should give way,
Count Cadorna had a second line of
defense ready along the Piave river.
The first impetuous and almost I'M
impeded rush of the Austro-G German
forces had died down by Thursday,
when the center OF their line had ad-
vanced to within four miles Of the
Tagliamento northwest of Udine. BY
that time they were In contact with
the Italians at many points and were
| meeting with stubborn resistance
which was giving Cadorna opportunity
to consolidate his defenses and to re.
store complete order and discipline.
Some large units of the italian army
made stand on the left bank of the
Tagllamento, but the Teutons pene-
trated their line, captured the bridge
head positions at Codroipo and Dig.
nano, and took 10000 more prisoners
The two main forces then faced each
other on opposite sides Of the river.
Italy United, Allies Helping.
If Germany hoped by this invasion
to weaken Italys war spirit and tc
cause internal dissension, 1t was badly
fooled, for the opposite has come
about, All factions sprang instantly
to the support Of the government, all
| reserves were called to the colors i'm.
| mediately, hundreds Of convalescent
officers pleaded to be sent back tc
their commands, and from all parts
Of the kingdom supplies. munitions
| and men were rushed to the front, ev.
cry means Of transportation being
utilized solely by the military author
titles.
FerHHpS HlOSL important OF all, III
the long run, was the effect on the al.
lies of Italy. Great Britain and
France at once began hurrying re-en'
forcements-men and guns-into Italy
and America, without q moments hes
itation, cast aside all export restric
tons in fa'or of the invaded country
and permitted her to take whatever
materials she wanted. We also ar
ranged to give Italy large amount OF
shipping to assist her own merchant
! marine in taking over the needed sup
| plies, and extended to her new credit
Of $230,000,000. 1t is said Italy had
long been asking for munitions from