The Washington times., 1917-10-31
|TAL|ANSHOPE
TOSAVEMUCH
TERRITORY BY
WISE RETREAT
Continued from First Pas.)

NContinued from First PaBe.)
clared the river was q roaring tor
rent which was confidently believed
would offer formidable barrier to de-
fsnss for the Italians. now being
Withdrawn In orderly array TO its
banks.
French and British .gunnsrs, CO.
operating with the Italian troops.
have been OF Tremendous moral sup
port to General Cadorna's men.
Coed Roaas Are Ala.
The excellence Of the military roads
constructed in Austrian territory
which CadornG seized last summer,
has been Of immense aid to the
enemy. The network Of these high
ways has afforded the Austro-Ger.
mans quick means OF concentrating
men and supplies.
The strongest proof OF how Italy .
now rallyinE to the cause or rspell-
ing the invader was furnished in the
quick formation Of q coalition cabi-
net. Practically all parties threw
aside their political differences and
Joined In this ministry. Particularly
emphatic was the response Of. the
Sociallsts-the party which forced
the downfall of the BosellI cabinet.
The Teuton army, already In poR
session OF Udine. today continued It's
march toward the river. Another Ger
man movement Is on in the north,
where Won Bulow's forces have al
most reached the Upper Tsgliamento.
slowly RstreatinE.
Along the Tagliamsnto river, and
not far from Udlne, General Cadorna's
forces are slowly retreatIng. Burn
ing their bridges behind them. exer-
cislng a rear guard check to the
enemy, and fording the swollen
stream wherever possible. the retreat
is slow but certain. ... a.
IN the meantime British and
French Assistance Is>being hurried 10
the scene OF the impending conflict.
Everywhere, military authorities
say, the political effect OF the enemy
drive 10 rapidly becoming apparent
The political viewpoint brings out
the determination to stand firm and
save Italy.
Added to this determination 10 the
belief In military circles that the Teu-
ton drive will act As q boomerang to
the enemy. It is now generally be-
IIeved that the big spring drive, which
would otherwise be late on account
OF waiting the full strength OF the
/ American troops, will be carried out
this winter regardless Of weather con-
ditions.
Cannot Postpone Action
II ta pointed out that the blow will
not be as forceful as II postponed un-
til spring, but t.Iat because OF Italy,
the allies cannot AFFORD to postpone
action. General Cadorna, It is be-
lisved here, has already received posi-
tive assurances OF assistance from
French and British sources and that
with such aid he viii be able to turn
rout into victory.
Rome officials accept the loss Of
UdIne logically and placidly. They
maintain the evacuation OF the former
military base was early planned and
executed as planned.
It Is pointed out that scarcely =
vestIge Of the city was left to the In
vadihg enemy and that the evacuation
was made in time TO burn certain
bridges and otherwise check the sne-
my'S advance.
Recent rains have swollen the river,
and military authorities declare that
with the Italian forces already across,
the enemy IL yet to encounter great
hardships before ready to engage in
the fateful struggle for supremacy on
the VenitiGn plains.