Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-10-30
ITALY, COCKPIT OF EUROPE
Decisive Battles of the War May Be Fought the Venetian
Plains, With French and English
Taking Part
By ADALBERTO CAPORALE

WHAT was not plain a few days ago Is
w clear today. Germany with the assist
ance Of the entire Austrian army. is trying
to achieve on Italian territory a decisive
victory not merely IN regard TO Itaiy's war,
but affecting the whole European situation,
the Julian as we'll as the Franco-Belgian
front. Field Marshal Won Mackensen evil
IDENTIFY has been given the direction Of a
drive which is against France and Great
Britain and the United States as much as
against Italy, and what military critics
conversant with conditions along the Isonzo-
Carso front had been repeating for the
last few months, when General Cadorna
clamored for guns, comes true. The Italian
front, which could have been made the
decisive front of the European war months
ago and could have seen an uninterrupted
victorious march of the Allies toward Lai-
bach and Vienna, has become indeed de-
cisive one. The only difference is that
what France and England failed to- real
ize has been grasped by the German staff,
and Germany, not the Allies, is now seeking
a decision on the ground where 1t was
wrongly held Italy was fighting her own
war, a selfish war of greed and conquest.
The Austro-German offensive Is develop
ing now on a front stretching itself from
tebba road. Of Napoleonic fame, and the
sea. This front is held by Cadorna's Second
Army, on the sector north Of Goriza, under
the command of General Capello, and the
Third Army, more numerous than the Sec
ond, on the sector from Gorilla to the sea,
under the command of the Duke of Aosta.
The northern army, which, by reason OF
the strong support given by the Tolmlno
bridgehead and the vicinity of the Ital,
ian boundary line, has borne the brunt OF
the Teutonic attacks, has been compelled
to give way before massed attacks, IN
which German heavy artillery has played
an overwhelming role.
Whole Line in Danger
Doubtless Gorizia's loss is a hard blow
to the Italians, but not so much from the
military as from the moral point Of view.
It seems that only the city, which lies on
the eastern bank OF the Isonzo, has been
recaptured by the Austro-Germans, and one
would assume that the bridgehead, formed
by the two heights OF Podgora and the
Sabotino on the opposite bank, Is still held
by the left wing OF the Italian Third Army
II conditions are such, 1t is to be hoped
that the Italians will be able to make a
stand on these two mountains, which con-
stitute the whole military value Of Gorlzla.
1t is impossible to foresee what will be-
come Of the Italian Third Army and the
Carso line II Won Mackensen is able 10
march south after reaching Udlne, Ca
dornas headquarters, the Duke of Aosta
will be compelled 10 fall back on the Tag
lIAmento. where the Italians are likely ID
nut up strong stand. But II is clear that
the whole line is in immediate danger OF
falling under the smashing blows dealt by
forces which are said 70 be four times those
Of the defenders.
II the German stan has really In mind a
| decisive battle on Italian territory. Il Is
| pIain that Won Mackensen will have 10 starr
| another offensive from the Trentino The
| season Is not at all favorable for such nj,
| enterprise, and. moreover the Germans
should have already massed a considerable
| army in the Trento basin, where A should
| be kept ready to be thrown against the
Italian lines from the AdEe to the Brenta.
Snow May Help Italians
conslderinE ne masses ana the ma.
I torial fhe ApHlro- Germans haVe InroWn
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