American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-11-20


armies.
Came the Russian revolution: the
reign of terror in the new republic;
the advent of lax discipline in the Rus
sian army, and finally the more or less
complete breakdown Of the Mosco-
yite armed forces. Austria, aided by
Germany, took advantage OF the situa-
ton: entire armies, together with their
artillery and other equipment. were
shifted 10 the Italian front. Enormous
forces, We are told. were launched
against the Italians, thus resulting
in the initial breech in that sinuous
line OF over $50 miles which rose and
fell on mountain ranges.
The first point, then, is that Italy
has been taxed far beyond her
strength.
Then there is the matter OF ammuni-
ton. Italy has neither iron nor coal
Of her own. So she has had to de-
pend upon the United States and Great
Britain for these prerequisites to mo-
dern warfare. And as wonderful as
her industrial development has been,
and as numerous as have been the ex-
tensiye munition plants in various
parts Of the country. these have been
entirely at the mercy Of the iron and
coal supply. We have first-hand in
formation that the facilities for the
manufacture of guns and shells were
ample. But never has the raw mater
ial come in at the desired rate. Re
Gently, some of the big plants have
had to close several days a week be-
cause of raw material.
Modern artillery imposes a terrible
strain upon a country's industries.
Big guns are seldom at rest, and hour
after hour, throughout the day and
night. they send their shells over TO
the enemy. Imagine, then, the plight
OF the Italian gunners when they only
received their munitions in small lots.
We are informed that shells and pow
der came up every day from the inter
Tor of the country to the advanced
lines on lofty mountain SUBMITS, just
the same as the daily bread. Never
was there an accumulation OF ammu-
milton in the sense Of the dumps" in
back Of British and French batteries.
We are further informed that there
were days when guns in exposed po-
sitions were without ammunition
nothing was forthcoming over the
aNAtiillu ulEu " dN0 DuAil ny lnt AldAidil0t
and up the remarkable cable railways
leading to the highest guns.
Then there were serious political
d%issensions in Italy. OF these we
know little. except that the sudden
military reverse has set these at
naught; all parties are now united.
Rut We do know that espionage was
in full swing in Italy, attacking the
armed forces of the kingdom from the
rear. while the Austro-Germans were
preparing their master stroke. The
part that this espionage played must
have been great. One instance alone
is to be found in the fact that the in
itial Teuton stroke was delivered
against the left wing of the Italian
forces on the Julian front. where ter
ritorial troops held the trenches. SO
the Teutons knew just where the
weakest point was, and struck there
with tremendous violence,
Bare hands canno fight modern ar
tillery. The Russians tried it, so did
the Roumanians and the Serbians.
Now Italy has tried it. And they all
have failed. So the Italian reverse
is due. In large measure, to the failure
TO obtain iron and coal with which to
turn out shells. more shells and still
more shells.
The need of Italy just now is not
men. She has ample soldiers with
which to conduct a successful defen-
sive and even undertake a smashing
offensive at no far distant date, when
the Austrians and Germans will be
urgently required in some other thea
ter of war. Italy needs iron and coal.
and shipping in which to transport
them. While France furnishes such
aid as she can in the form of finished
guns and shells. Great Britain and
ourselves should not hesitate to fur
nish shipping and large quantities of
iron and coal. not only To- but in a
continual stream. Never again must
Italian guns be silent for want Of iron
and coal in the munition plants. And
never again should the allies overes-
innate the strength Of a member Of
the coalition. and underestimate the
striking power of the central powers.
We have been taught a lesson which
must not be SOC forgotten.-Scientihc