The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-11-03


light as far as the war is concerned
this week, but there have been two
other features to the war news that
were not without interest One was
the statement by Sir Eric Geddes on
the progress made in fighting the
submarine and the other was the
news of renewed activity by the
British in Palestine.
The drive against Italy was
scarcely less a political move than 1t
was a military operation.
The peace party in Italy has been
powerful since before Italy made her
choice for war. 1t has never ceased
it's agitation, and of late. it has been
aided by the great scarcity of food
and fuel and the misery of the poor
Of Italy.
Austria also showed signs of weak
ening. and the peace advocates dared
openly agitate for a truce. The
growth of not only peace sentiment
but anti German sentiment in Aus
Berlin. Something was needed to
stiffen Germany's ally, and the dis
affection in Italy gave promise of
situation that would result in a
separate peace with the former MEM
Der Of the Triple Alliance. These two
considerations undoubtedly prompted
the German offensive. Germany,
with one stroke hoped to eliminate a
powerful antagonist who was a con-
slant thorn in her side, and to
strengthen the desire for victory on
the part of her own chief ally.
That was the political object in
view. The immediate military object
was to remove the menace to Trieste
and the Austrian plains.
Maeksnsen Called To Task.
General Mackensen, the most
spectacular of the German command
ers, and the man who has provided
more victories for the German arms
than even Hindenburg. was called to
the task. He was withdrawn from
the Rumanian front, and massed his
picked German troops operating with
the greater part of the Austrian
army, on the flank of the Italians.
General Cadorna, in pushing forward
toward the plains of Austria may
have left his flank insufficiently pro-
tected. On the other hand, there are
unpleasant evidences of the activity
Of German spies and German propa-
gandists in the Italian troops holding
the passes to the north. The defeat
probably can be ascribed to the COM
bination of several factors. First
was the presence of superior forces
composed of the best German troops;
second was the disaffection created
by men in the employ of Germany
spreading the same poison that
rendered ineffective the Russian arm
les; third was the surprise attack,
and the assistance of misty weather.
At any rate the attack was sue
.cessful, and the Germans poured
through the passes and menaced the
flank of the Italian armies TO the
south. There was no alternative but
to withdraw as rapidly as possible,
and the manner in which General
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constant demand for money If
every man and woman in Fargo had
a personal budget, and set aside a
certain sum each week, however
small 1t might be. Fargo could stand
ten times the demands she now has
and meet them with one-tenth the
wasted energy that is now expended.
Suppose, for example, every resi-
dent of Fargo averaged 81 a month
in such a personal budget. That does
not mean that each person should
give 81. but that this should be the
average, those in better circum-
stances giving according to their
means. This fund of $4,000 would
take care Of the Red Cross require
ments, and all the additional tag
days, and campaigns for war funds
and for local charities that are
launched.
II you get impatient with the many
demands for funds. you have only
yourself to blame. Establish
budget and get rid Of the worry and
annoyance, and give as soon as the
campaign "a announced and before
you are solicited