The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-31
Stream a Torrent Makes For
midable Barrier at Present.
French and British Gunners
Now With Italian Army.
AMERICA BUSHES SUPPLIES
Much Needed Grain and Coal
Now En- Route to Italy.
Pacifsts, Realizing Danger,
Help Overcome DisaffectiOn.
BIZ JOHN H. HEARTILY.

Rome, oct. 31.-Rome expects the
great tro-German drive to come
10 a halt in flood swollen banks of the
Tagliamento river.
Reports from the front today de-
clared the river was roaring torrent
which it was confidently believed
would offer a formidable barrier of
defense for the Italians, now being
withdrawn in orderly array to its
banks.
French and British gunners, CO.
operating with the Italian troops, have
been of tremendous moral support to
General Cadorna's men.
The excellence of the military roads
constructed in Austrian territory
which Cadorna seized last summer
has been of immense aid to the enemy.
The network of these highways has
afforded the Austro- Germans QUICK
means OF concentrating men and sup
plies.
New Cabinet Organized
The STR INCEST proof of how Italy IS
now rallying to the cause of repening
the invader was furnished in the quick
formation of q coalition cabinet. Prac-
tically all parties threw aside their
political differences and joined the
ministry. Particularly. emphatic was
the response of the SoclaHsts-the
party which forced the downfall of
the Boselli cabinet.
AS formed the cabinet includes these
officers:
Premier and minister of the inter
Tor, Vittorio Orlando.
Minister of foreign affairs Baron
Sonnino.
Minister of war, General Alfieri.
Minister of finance, Signor Media.
Minister of pensions, Signor Bis
Minister of the treasury. signor
Nitti.
Rush Aid From L. $.
Washington, Oct S1.-Gigantic sup
plies-money munitions, fuel and
food--are being rushed to Italy to-
day to help General Cadorna stem
the Teuton invasion. The allies
America included-thoroly awake to
the critical danger in Won Mackensen's
big drive, are pushing aid from all
quarters.
This government has decided to ex-
tend Italy's credits $3.50, 100000 i'm
lnediately.
Grain and coal are already en- route
to help the civilian population ana
assist in maintaining the morale OF
the Italian people.
France is sending guns to Cadorna
to strengthen the Tagliamento system
of entertainments.
Italian officials here declare that
the TagH mento line is well fortified
and in addition to this is a natural
barrier against invasion from the
north" The defensive works on this
line extend across country for many
miles southwark of Tagliamento to-
ward Rome. While the second and
third armies have been retreating,
three other arnies-the bulk of the
nations reserves-have been prepar-
ing the Tagliamento defenses, official
cables state.
Dispatches both to the embassy and
the state department today indicate
that the danger of civilian disaffec-
ton in Italy is rapidly disappearing
under the stress of the common dan
ger. The pacifist element, upon whom
blame for disintegration of some of
the Italian troops is laid, is now said
to be throwing it's weight into the
balance to push the war.
With the arrival of coal from this
country the italian munition factor
les, many of which have been either
idle or greatly incapacitated thru lack
of fuel will be able to resume op-
erations The belief now is that if
Cadorna can check Won Mackensen
for a week at the Tagliamento the
crisis will have been practically pass
ed and reinforcement of allied troops,
munitions and other supplies will turn
the tide