Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-16
COOPERATION.

One ray of hope, at least. must per-
colate to the intellects of the most Ces-
simistic observer OF war conditions
from the standpoint of America: the
leaders of the armies and the govern
ments Of the entente allies have come
to the conclusion that cooperation
among them not only is wise and nee
essary, but is to be realized. This is
evidenced by the recent conference at
Rome and by the declarations credited
to Premier Lloyd George and Premier
Painleve on their return to Paris.
For months there was every 'evi-
dence that the Italian position might
become untenable because OF lack OF
cooperation from England and France.
The Courier was among too small
group of newspapers which called at
tention to the fact. not in a spirit of
criticism, but in an effort to direct
public thought and possibly official
action along that line before such a
catastrophe as has been witnessed in
the past two weeks might be brought
about by the Teutonic allies.
Italy needed and still needs NUM-
lions, guns, steel and coal Notwith-
standing the losses her army has ex-
perienced as a result OF the Austro-
German drive, she still is well supplied
with men. It is presumed that the
time consumed by General Cadorna In
withdrawing his forces from the isonzo
front to the Pave river has been I'M
proved by the French and English to
rush guns and munitions, as well as
men, to the latter location.
Now the reorganized Italian army,
reinforced by British and French vet
Grams and commanded by the inter-
allied war council. is engaged in what
promises to be the greatest battle OF
the present year, at least. and one OF
the critical battles of the whole war
On the outcome of this struggle de-
pends the answer to the question
whether Italy shall be put out of the
reckoning or must still be considered
by the Teutons, watched and guarded
against. II the Italians can throw
back the Germans and Austrians, re-
claim some of the lost ground and
weld themselves and their allies into
strong offensive force again, Germany
will be compelled to keep some OF her
best divisions on the Italian front in
definitely, for she will not be likely
| to trust Austria to do the work which
was obviously too great task.
| But il the Italians are forced back
from the Piave farther into Italy. and
IL the converging armies OF the Teu-
tonic allies are able to reach Venice
and the Adriatic coast. there seems no
good reason why they cannot also
reach French soil by skirting Switzer-
| land. This would necessitate change
of the whole situation on the western
front. It would compel France and
her allies to extend the western front
| to the southern coast. Battle after
battle would occur, probably through
out the winter. for the climate in that
portion OF France is not so severe as
| it is in Flanders and the northern part
Of the republic.
Premier Painleve is not overstating
the fact when he says "a single army.
a single front and a single nation" Is
the program requisite for future vic
!, tory.
| If. as it seemed few months ago, the
purpose of France and England in per
hitting Italy's armies to advance into
Austrian territory without sufficient
/, armament was to prevent the I.atins
from talking too loudly and insistently
| at the peace conference in the event
OF an allied victory, certainly that
| object has been attained. We do not
/ know that it existed. All we do know
is that General Cadorna and other ltal-
| ian army officials were calling for guns
! and munitions last summer, that news
paper correspondents accompanying
the Italian army were urging America
orI tha a1ltoo IN make favorable re-