Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1917-11-16
AID REACHESTALY;
ENTHUSIASTICALLY
ITALIANS CONTINUE RETREAT IN
ACCORDANCE WITH PLAN
OF GENERAL STAFF,
ALLIED UNITY is FIXED
Gen. Diax Put In Command Of tho
Army In Cadorna's Place-Ital-
Ian Forces lnfIict Losses
on Pursuing Teutons.

italian Military Zone.-Both British
and French troops are going towards
the front.
The Italians continue their retreat
in accordance with the plan OF tho
general staff.
Although the plain over which they
are fighting offers no natural de-
lenses, with the exception of the hills
in the province of Treviso, the ltai-
fans are opposing more determined
resistance 10 the enemy. From the
Treviso hills they are pouring down
a rain OF shells on the Germans ana
Austrians, making them pay a heavy
price for the ground they gain.
A dozen bridges have been blown
up on the Livenza river to arrest and
delay as much as possible the advance
of the Austro-Germans toward tho
Piave river. The Livenza is a smaller
river than the Tagliamento and offers
fewer difficulties to the invadin8
army to cross it, but the retreatinS
Italian army is nov better organized
than 1t was on the banks of the Tag
liamento, and is capable of greater re-
s~istance.
Indeed, some Of the Italian continr
gents are animated by such ardor to-
fight the enemy that they are losing
contact with the main body and risk
being surrounded by the AustroGer-
mans, who have advanced either high
or or lower on the river than the po-
sition occupied by the Italians.
Meanwhile the Italian retreat has
greatly shortened the fighting line, re-
ducing 1t to scarcely 80 miles In
length. This favors the concentration
OF Italian forces for defense.
The French and British representa-
tfyes who have come to Italy had q
conference of two hours with King
Victor Emmanuel. The military meas
ures called for the present situation
were discussed in active and cordiae
collaboration. On leaving the king
the party visited French and British
troops going toward the front.
The conference of British, French
and Italian representatives has result
ed in the creation Of a permanent In
terallied military committee. New
leadership for the Italian army has
been provided.
Gen. Cadorna, who has been in n
preme command of the Italian army
since the beginning Of the war, has
been given q place on the new com-
mittee.
New heads of the Italian command
have been named. Gen. Diaz has been
appointed first in command, with
Gen. Badoglio second and Gen. Gran
dino third.
Gen. Foch, chief Of staff Of tho
French war ministry, and Gen. viii.
son, sub-chief Of the British general
staff, will serve on the interallis6
committee with Gen. Cadorna.
Among military officers the decis~
ion of the allies to create . permanent
military committee has caused great
satisfaction.
1t It accepted as evident that the
allies have awakened to the necessity
for the closest union Of the whold
length Of the western front for the
political and military conduct of the
war.
Gen. Diaz Is rated as one OF the
ablest Italian military leaders. For
years he was connected with the zen.
eral staff. He took part IN the LibyaA
wal as a colonel, and was wounded 50
severely that he asked to be wrapped
In q flag, feeling that death was ae
hand. He has rendered distinguished
service in the present campaign. He
is from Southern Italy.
Gen. Badoglio is a %northerner. In
the wal he has been In command of q
brigade of bersaglieri.