Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-16

dous onslaughts and give promise that
they will continue to do SO.
Franco-British forces took their
places in the battle line during the past
week after complete and adequate.
preparation to meet any contingency.
They were eheered wildly by the Ital-
ians. who during the weeks of fierce
conflict since they left the Isonzo have
been weil-nigh physically exhausted by
the continuous heavy struggle waging
almost night and day at some point or
another. The British are ready for the
enemy. So are the French. and those
seasoned veterans of the western front
are expected to make further wide
ent winter well-nigh impossible
One of the most favorable features
of the situation Is the change in wealth
er. The Italians had counted on snow
to assist them in frustrating Teutonic
purpose. but the snow held of. Only
Italian stamina and bravery backed up
by all modern tools of war prevented
Field Marshal Conrad Won Hoetzendorf
from carrying his armies through the
mountain passes. enveIoping the whole
Italian line on the Piave and forcing
widespread and possibly disastrous re-
treat. The Pfave line has also been
difficult to hold, owing to the rivers
low water. which enhanced the success
Of enemy endeayors to force crossings
According to latest advices, however,
the Piave has risen and the italian de-
Tense will be less difficult than 1t has
been in the past.
italian front 1t was the intention of
the Teutonic commanders to press
right through to Bassano on the
plains. This point was to have been
reached fourteen days ago. The Ger
mans have no desire to spend the win
ter in their present positions. Their
communication lines constantly are in
danger because q the whims Of the
Nrra ~ Ia ...sl1 -
for the Teutons to hold their present
line than 1t would be any line they
might have established on the plains
had all gone well.
That Germany is disappointed in the
result of the italian drive is indicated
by the fact that
/ Germans Join Gen. Won Below
in Great Attack. h.uar.d tbo,
sand German troops has been dis
patched to assist the Austrians in their
attempts to break through.
f, AS In many other cases during the
present war, the German military eagle
screeched too soon. The press of Ber-
lin and Vienna, as well as the whole
of Germany and Austria Hungary. an
nounced the overrunning OF italy was
but a matter of days. They declared
| that the enemy was to suffer the same
punishment astthat inflicted on Bel
GUM. Serbia, Rumania and Montene-
gro. They declared alleged Italian
treachery was to be punished as no
other nation ever had been punished
| Today finds the Teutonic armies
icheckmated and holding but com
paratively insignificant section of the
nation which was to be oyerrun The
peoples of the central powers, encour-
aged and thinking less of peace after
! the Teutonic drive was started on the
Isonzo. Undoubtedly again have begun
to lose faith.
| 1t is absolutely incumbent upon Teu-
tonic war lords. IL the courage of the
peoples is kept up to the sticking point
through the winter. to continue their
successes against the Italians II posi- :
BILE. Reserves are being rushed to the
Italian front in unstinting numbers.
and 1t Is believed that at the present
5uncture the Teutons possibly outnum-
Der the Italians, French and British.
But ono cardinal fact always must
be remembered when one considers this
arena of war, as well as all others
the morale of the German soldier today
is far inferior to that of the allies. Thfs
IL half of the battle. for, whereas the
allied soldier now IL fighting with sfrm