The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-11-14
AUSTRO-GERMAN
 DRIVE IN ITALY
 REACHES CREST
This Is Opinion Expressed by Washington Officials Who Are Watching Re
 ports With Care

Washington, November E. The Austro-German drive in Italy appears to have reached it's crest. This opinion is ex- pressed by officers here on the basis of information carried in press reports that the line of defense continues to hold un-. der repeated assaults. Evi- dences of the use to which the German high command now proposes to put it's victory are watched for with great inter- est.
 lnSllis weekly war review, issued to- day, Secretary Baker indicated his opinion that the drive was primarily a political movement. This opinion is shared by numerous American officers and in some quarters it is believed a fourth peace offer is to be expected at any moment from German sources.
 What form such an offer might take or the terms of negotiations proposed could not be foreseen, as no official ad- mitted having any advance information. It was pointed out, however, that since previous peace offers, openly made, have Q wi crN rr,l1 camps that some indirect offer is looked for which could be disclamied in Berlin if it brought no results
 VENICE IS SAFE
 Doubt is expressed that Venice will fall to the invaders unless it's evacuation by the Italians is forced this week. Every hour that the Italian line holds in it's present position is regarded as making easier the task of stopping definitely the Teutonic rush. The fact that the Italians have been successfully reorganized stands out to military observers as striking proof of the high morale Of the army and of the ability of the officers.
 TROOPS IN SPIRIT
 The spirit of the troops will improve steadily with each check adnlinistered to the foe. An army gains confidence in itself quickly and the addition of French and British artillery and other fighting units to the line will bring added couraae.s < ? The same observers fail to see that the Austro-Gern,ar1 drive will have sa- cured any important military objectives if it is stopped where it isy A great sweep of Italian territory has been occupied. It contains little or nothing, however, to ease the food shortage in Austria. Un- less convincing material evidences of vic- tory are forthcoming, however, in the shape of food, or a lessening of the strain upon the Austrian army, 1t is believed the encouragement in Austria will prove short lived.
 AUSTRIAN STRAIN INCREASED
 If anything, the strain upon the Aus trian lines has. been increased as a result of the drive. The new line must be held at all costs in tliesface of an Italian force that probably can be brought to total strength of 2.Ooe,oOo men when supplies and equipment become available It Is not easy to sec. it is pointed out. how any Austrian or German units could be withdrawn without jeopardizing the whole Teutonic force.
 Suppiy lines fofN the invader run back into Austria through rugged mountain passes difficult to keep fully open dur ing winter. Once the mass of heavy artillery and supplies necessary to the maintenance to such force has been moved down to face the Italian line 1t would be impossible, 1t is said, for hasty withdrawal to be made For that reason, it is argued the German and Austrian, staffs will see to it that their lines are strong enough to withstand any plob- able attack. This only will serve to add to the already heavy burden upon the re- serves of food, nuhitions and men upon which the German steer ring of defense depends.