Evening star., 1917-05-27
VIENNA ALSO BESET
WITH INTERNAL STRIFE
Further Tenders, Designed to At
tract Russia, Are Believed to
Be Impending.
sLAvs ARE FORGING AHEAD
Rapid Strides Taken to Readjust
Nation and Rehabilitate Army.
Other Nations Are Near War.
BY OLIVER OWEN KUHN.

BY OLIVER OWEN KUHN.
On mountain heights and level plain
the victorious armies of Italy are press
ing on. Daily new victories are being
achieved. With each blow directed at
the Austrians on the bloody battlefields
of the Isonzo and on the Carso, the war
Is believed to be just that much short
err for In the offensive Of the Italians
under the leadership of Gen. Cadorna
is seen continued encouragement OF the
Austrian peoples and the fastening OF
the day when they will see At to break
away from their already fretful alliance
with the Prussian government and sue
for a separate peace. Austrta's difficult
ties never were greater than at the
present juncture. Not only are her ar
great Italian fighting machine. but the
government is beset with myriads OF
internal problems, which are fast COM
ing to a head: Adjustment OF Austrian
issues possibly will come within the
next few months. for the reason that
the assembly of the Austrian parlia-
ment will open the door for public ex-
preston Of the weariness OF the pres
ent struggle and the desire for the con-
clusion Of q separate peace. Continued
reverses on the field of battle are be-
heved sure to but rub raw public opin-
ion. The Austrian situation truly may
be watched with expectation OF impor-
tant events.
Nothing in the war between the Aus
TRANS and Italians has approxfmated
the fury Of the present lighting on the
Gorizia and on the Carso, where
the Italians are striving for further
laurels within ten miles Of Trieste, the
deliverance of which from Austrian
lie t. 80 hn oh Of nh oCf off a
Italians in the present struggle.
Gen. Cadorna, during the winter
months. is declared to have reformed
his armies and f,lled all gaps cut into
during two years Of conhict along the
Isonzo and in the Trentino regions.
Three million Italians are declared to
be facing the Austrians. fact, in its
self discouraging to enemy command
ers. The Italian artillery forces have
been materially reinforced by ten Brit
ish batteries with the most modern
weapons. The heliish big gun fire pour
tain heights to the east Of Gorizia not
only surprised the Austrians. but in
Aicted untold casualties. In addition to
making the eiaborateiy prepare prepared a. Avs. Us.
mountains commanding Gorizia abso-
lutely untenable. Trenches cut deep
into the limestone have been pulvef-
ized. Wire barricades have been level
the italian and British guns have pour
ed their heaviest hre the most ground
has been gained.
4 r.
Gen. Cadorna. the only military COM
mander who has kept his post during
the period Of the
cadorna Tr;cks war and who on
Enemy by Moves. has shown the
greatest sagacity in leading his troops,
has completely 1isorganized Austrian
plans His first efforts in tho present
general offensive were directed at the
Todice heights to the northeast of Go
rizia- The lsonzo was crossed. bril-
liant feat in itself, but this Immediate
ly was followed by the capture Of
Mount Cucco, which height dominates
Tolmino from the south In addition
Austrian positions on Mont St. Marco,
Mont st. Rocco and other important
heights overlooking italian positions
have been carried in tremendous at
tacks. This nghting on the Julian front
has been spectacular in the extreme.
Soldiers have been forced to climb from
guns behind them. In many cases Aus
trian mountain posts have been car
ried by mere handful of intrepid
Italians who defied all danger in their
II
passes and crags. But the spirit OF the
Italian soldiers has been fired to the
greatest accomplishments and this very
fact is telling in the conflict now rag
ing.
Events would indicate, however, that
Gen. Cadorna drst initiated the Julian
attack as blind for what appears to
be the more important operations on
the Carso. When the Austrians were
engaged the heaviest In the general re-
gion of Mount Cucco they little expect
ed blows in other quarters, particularly
as their armies in the Trentino regions
to the westward were striving dill
gently to divert Italian attention from
the task around Gorizia. Cadorna, how
ever, gave the signal to advance and
the italian armies facing the general
direction of Trieste sprang forward
and have captured the important town
Of Jamiano. in addition to more than
10000 prisoners. The total casualties
of the Austrians on both the Julian and
Carso fronts in recent days are declared
to be in the neighborhood of 10000
this is addition to the casualties re.
ported to have been inflicted on Aus
trian armies vainly endeavoring to ad
vance by massed attack in the Tren-
tfno.
From 4 military standpoint the Ans.
trians have but little encouragement,
TO continue in the war. The course OF
events indicates that there will be lit.
tie ground Tor satisfaction among the
OF their armies particularly should thu
itanans surmount the many difficulties
yet before them and succeed in c-antur.
ing Trieste. the town which would Civ.
them virtual command Of the Adriat tic
Just as military events give the Aus
tro-Hungarian government little cb.nc.
for comfort
Internal Troubles likewise in
Are Facing Austria. ..nAi ana,r' M
veloping that they may eventuate /,
a grave political upheaval. which, i,
turn. may force the Austrian empero
TO greater steps loking toward a sepa
rate peace with the entente.
AS stated in previous discussions o
the Austrian and German situations
the Germans long have suspected Aus
trtas intention to continue in tn
struggle Germany has seen her Teu
tonic dictators in Austrian official lif
rapidly disappear. Since the new EN-
peror took the reins German officials il
the high places OF the dual kingdom
have been ousted. one after the other
The process has not been volcanic i,
character. but slow. Nevertheless, i
has been, certain, the osteusible pur
pose being to 50 prepare AustriA-Hun
6ary that when the psychploe4cs
lime comes to cut the cords binding tn