The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-06-25
AUSTRIA FACES
CRISIS0F WAR
Washington Believes Repulsc
May Bring Serious Re-
suits Internally.
OPTIMISTS ARE WARNED
Strike Report Taken as Pert
Of PrOpaganda-Whcat
Situation Better.
OPTIMISTS ARE WARNED
Special Dsspatch 10 THE sr~.

WASHINGTON. June .4--News Of the
sweeping Italian rout OF the Austrian
troops stirred official Washington to its
depths to-day. Reports OF the Austrian
military debac.e kept pace with reports
OF famine. distress, agitation and spread
Ing OF the strike movement throughout
Austria Hungary - OfficiaIs here are con-
WINGED that the news OF the military
d!saster to the Austrian forces may have
All immediate and serious effect on In
iernal conditions in the Duil Monarchy.
After full confirmation OF the Austrian
reverses had been received through mill
itar% channels, Secretary Bake cabled
the following congratulatory message to
the American Ambassador a; Rome with
the request that t; be delivered to the
Italian Minister Of War
Your Excellency: The people Of the
United states are watching with en-
thusiasm and admiration the splendid
exploits of the great army in Italy in
resisting and driving back the enemy
forces which recently undertook major
offensive on the Italian front. | take
great pleasure in rendering my own
hearty congratulations and would be
ing and coneratulation transmitted to
Gen. Diaz and mis- brave soldiers.
NEWTON u. BAKER, Secretary OF War
o. the United States"
Dias Tells Of Great Victory.
The Italian Embassy gave out to-
nigh, a cab,egram il received from Gen.
Diaz. commander in chief Of the italian
army as follows
yesterday we obtained great vic
tory. Owing to the extreme pressure OF
our troops and the continuous fire OF
the artillery and airplanes. the enemy.
after having desperately c!ung for eight
days at the oost Of appalling losses to
tine right bank OF the Piave. on the night
OF the o3d began to retreat to the left
bank under our terrific fire
The retreat continued during the en-
tire day. protected by strong machine
gun con,ingents and "ear guard units,
which after opposing obstinate resis-
lance were successfully overpowered by
the impetus OF our troops. which en-
yeloped Mon.ello and swep; over on the
entire Piave line with the exception Of
short section AT Musile. wnere the
fight continues.
Thus far 10000 prisoners nave been
counted and an enormous amount Of
booty captured. An appalling number
Of Austrian coipses ,.ters the ground,
bearing witness OF the unfOrtunate te
bravery and of the crushing defeat Of
the enemy"
Ma! A6rct German Plans.
In military circles here there is no
Disgusting the thought that the rout OF
the Austrians may have a great effect
OH the German offensive or contemplated
offensive OIL the front In France. Some
authorities believe that the defeat Of the
Austrians may force an entire revision
OF the German plans. AS THE Sun re-
Gently pointed out, the Germans pro-
posed and forced the offensive OF the
Austrians against the Italians In an
endeavor to crush Italy and then release
the Austrian army for fighting on the
! western front.
The complete failure OF these plans
will cause new ones to be msde--ether
for the Germans to rush reenforcements
to stem the Austrian retreat or to aban-
don her ally. Dispatches received from
Europe already have said that the Ger
mans have sent forces to face the Ital-
ians. but now the number must be in
creased. These men must come from
the western front. and any decrease in
the forces confronting the N''. there
must weaken the sector or rom
which they arc drawn. On at In
France the constant arrival o \mer.
lean forces II having a great effect on
| the balance OF man power in the
, trenches. and Germany must maintain
her lines there and also attempt 10
strengthen the Austrians.
Some militarr leaders assert that this
! Is impossible in the present state Of the
Continued on Second Pare.