New Britain herald., 1918-06-19
AUSTRIAN FAILURE
 WORST OF THE WAR
B0Dar Law Speaks of Initial
 Phase As FlaSCO

Law, Chancellor of the Exchequer, introduced a, vote Of credit for $500, ,O00, 900 in the House of Con- mons yesterday. gave some figures re garCling the total war credits, which. with the present appropriation, would amount to f7,342.0 900, 900 and an nounced that he would postpone until today his statement on national ex- penditure. He then proceeded to give a review of the general situation.
 The latest phase of this great struggle" he said, lis the Austrian offensive in Italy. It is part of an in- tense offensive which has been car sled on along the whole battlefront. Our enemies are right in thinking that a great success gained on that front would have far-rea ching. per haps decisive. results on the general battlefront in France. For that reason the general suspicion that the initiative came from Berlin. rather than from Vienna, I believe to De justified.
 The offensive Nas launched by 3 very large number of Austrian divi- sions, A good deal more than halt their total force op that front Is en- gagged in the attack, All I can say to- day is that after three days of fight ing the atta3k has failed.
 Our advice from Italian head quarters are that the enemy has not secured in three days the objective which he had hoped to obtain on the first day. And it is also true to say that no offensive on this scale throu ghout the whole war has at it's initiation secured so little success.
 '"There is no doubt that our own and the French troops are giving a good account of themselves, and the Italians have been fighting through out with the highest courage and the most marked tenacity. The Italian Higher Command has ne fear of the result. The danger is not yet over, but the Government can express ar mi-ation and gratitude to the Italians for the share they have taken in the general struggle"
 Speaking of the western f5ont, Mr. Bonar Law said that British and French hearquaTters knew the posi- thon to which the German divisions were being sent before the commence- ment of the offensive on March 21. He admitted that the attack had at tained an amount Of success which 'ia'i cduStu IIlt ulDlOSL dIHt6lE.
 But" he added '"thsea months have passed. and although the battle is q continues one. we can look back upon what has happened with some confidence
 Three Ohiectives Still safe.
 In this whole campaign the Ger mans have had before them three great O!olectives. One was Paris; an other was the channel ports: the third was not only the defeat, if they could achieve it. of the allied army, but the breaking of the communica- tions between the British and French forces. Although the Allies have had 10 give much ground, not one of the enemy's stragetic objects has been attained.
 'I think if any one in the early days of the struggle had suggested to Hindenburg that after three months the position would be what 1t is today he would have treated the suggestion with scorn. There is clear and increasing evidence in the Ger man press that they are becoming disappointed with the success-great as it has been--which has attended the German arms so far
 ''On the other hand, if we could have foreseen three months ago what the position Is now our anxiety would have been less"
 The Chancellor classed the battle of St. Quentin and the first battle of the lys as gSeat German successes. and the battle of Arras as one in which the British were entirely victorious. The same was true of the second phase of the battle of the Lvs
 Regarding that part Of the line held by the French. he said that the first attack was 2 great victory for the Germans, but that later an immense attack was started which entirely failed in it's object.
 The offensive of March 21" he continued. "has brought about unity of command. which results have jus tified The long continued battle must be a question of reserves The great source of allied reserves Is Am erica. and it is undoubtedly part of the German scheme to use up the aI- lied reserves before they can be re- inforced from America. But in this they have not succeeded
 Main Reserves Americans.
 1T wish it were possible to tell the House the number of troops. which since March 21, have been sent from this country to strengthen our own forces. Ii is a large number, but as have said the main source of the al lied reserves is America.
 Necessity has made possible what seemed impossible. The American troops are not coming. They have come. America isn't coming into the war. She is in ii. II am sure that every member of the House realizes and is delighted to know that the American troops have been fghtine and have Justified the