New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-30
Austro.Cerman Forces
Now Before Rail-
way Centre of
Udine
Allies Rushing
Plans for Help
Cadorna to Make Final
Stand Along the
Tagliamento
River

bONDO.Ns OCt nc LC~
treat continues. The Austro- German
armies, under General Otto Won Bilow,
are advancing with practically no IT,
sistance to the Venetian plains. They
have captured the town Of Commons,
eight miles beyond Gorilla, and are
now standing before Udine, where the
Italian headquarters has been located.
Berlin announces the number Of pris-
oners taken by the Teutons is increas-
Ing.
Rome officially states that Cadorna is
keeping in check the enemy's advance
into the plain, and that "all movements
ordered by the general staff are being
carried out"
Cadorna is Withdrawing his forces
for a stand along the Tagliamento
River, which is less than forty miles
from Venice. The second Italian army,
Berlin reports, is rushing back pell
NELL, the roads to the rear being choked
with fleeing soldiers and panic-strick-
en- civilians.
The German army headquarters re-
port says the Italians are falling back
from Ploecken Pass to the coast. II
adds:
Third Army Retreating
"The third italian army made a brief
resistance to the advancing forces,
from Wippach to the Adriatic. This
army is now in retreat along the Adri-
attic coast"
There is no disposition here to mini
mize the seriousness Of the Italian sit.
uation. 1t is realized that the Allies
must rush to Cadorna's assistance to
prevent what may become the greatest
disaster Of the war. To that end an
nouncement was made to-day that steps
have already been taken to render the
fullest possible assistance.
From Paris comes the report that
Premier Painleve conferred with Gem
eral Petain, commander in chief. and
General Foch, chief of staff of the
War Ministry. on the Italian situation.
The press of London is clamoring for
help to the hard pressed troops OF
Cadorna, and at once. At the same
time the belief is general that he will
be able to withstand the storm.
AS result of the Teutonic allied
offensive internal conditions in Italy
are declared to have been unified. the
prepondering idea of the entire popu-
lation now being to abolish party lines
in order TO meet the situation in the
best interests of the country. Even
the Cabinet crisis is expected to be
solved with comparatively few changes
in portfolios.
The immediate Teuton objective is
now the capture Of Udine, in the
Friuiian plain, from which town radiate
vital railroads. South of Udine is San
Giorgio. another important junction.
westward Of these two centres lies the
Compartments OF Venezia, with Venice
itself as further objective.
The advancing Teutons will likely
meet serious resistance at Udine. Milf
tary experts here believe Cadorna will
not yieid without desperate attempt
to stem the tide there.
Berlin admits that the rear guards
Of Cadorna's forces are fighting hard to
hinder the advance and protect the
main armies in their retreat.
Violent Rainstorms
The battle during the last twelve
hours has been staged amid violent
tempests and rainstorms. The district
in which the Teuton drive centres. ap-
preaching Udine, is a lowland, and
Udlne offers, according to military ex-
perts here, many natural advantages
for successful defence. But the ma
Jority OF military critics here are Of
the opinion that Cadorna will stake
his hopes on new line at the Taglia-
mento, eighteen miles further west.
Apparently, the German strategy is to
drive wedge between the armies OF
the Carso front and those in the noun
tains northwest Of Udine Some of the
Italian positions in the Carnic Alps
undoubtedly have been untenable, and.
if the Berlin reports are to be taken
at their face value, have been aban-
doned in the general Italian retreat.
Meantime experts here are looking
toward the Trentino, for they consider
the Germans, having smashed the
lsonzo line, may suddenly start an Of
fensive against the Italians there.
Bitter comment comes from Rome on
the failure Of the Allies 10 realize the
peril confronting Cadorna through in
sufficient guns and ammunition. Their
attitude may be summed up by this
statement:
"The Germans realized what the Al
lies never realized"
Great Need for Guns
It is pointed out that Italy does not
lack for men. Even the capture OF
100000, claimed by the Germans. could
be weathered. But what Italy does
need, and what the Allies now are bend.
ing every energy to supply, are guns.
ammunition, supplies for the troops in
the held and food for the civilian
population.
Meanwhile in Germany the italian
victory is being used to the fullest ex.
tent by the military element to bolster
the courage Of the population. Through
out the country dispatcheS x.y ~.