Evening journal., 1918-07-25
ITALY REVIVES
AFTER BIC Loss
Nation Now Stands Facing
Foe With Will TO Win
or Die
PROPAGANDA
is OFFENSIVE

Copyright. 1918. by the United Press.)
ROME. July IA year ago, the Ital-
ian ARMIES were within IL miles OF
Triest and on the direct road to the in
terror Of Austria. Today they are hold
ing the line Of the piave river, over
looking the rich Venetian plain, now in
the hands Of the enemy.
But this picture Of territorial srelin-
quishment finds the Italian people near
er to true victory and realization OF
national aspirations than they were the
day before the disaster at CapOretto
That triumph Of German intrigue and
propaganda, resulting in the rOut Of
the italian army and the retreat 10
the Piave, was the first step toward
the creation Of the present national
solidarity Of Italy for prosecution Of
the war
The extent Of Italy's reiuvenation is
illustrated by her tremendous defeat OF
the Austrian offensive, which began
along the t00-mile front from the Ash
ago plateau 10 the Adriatic the morn
ing OF June IS.
Unlike the previous offensive. this
effort found the Italian armies ready
and waiting. British and French troops
fought shoulder TO shoulder with the
Italians In the mountain region. Amer
ic5n airmen rendered important Co
operation.
The Austrians, who made this drive
minus the German aid which had char
acterized their former campaigns, were
stopped in the north. but succeeded in
crossing the Plave at several points.
Their greatest penetration here did not
exceed five miles, however. Their loss
es were stupendous Nearly a million
men were engaged by them, and their
killed. wounded and missing, were es-
timsted at 25O,OOO.
The Allies took the initiative on the
mountain front on the second day, and
eventually reestablished the old line
there. The tire turned on the Piave
during the fifth day. Rains in the
mountain region flooded the river, pre-
venting the Austrians bringing UP re-
infOrcements, ammunition or food. on
June p, the Austrian retreat began.
In some places Il became an utter rout.
They lost more than 25,OO0 prisoners.
After winning back their old lines
along the Piave. the Italians, British
and French beg5h systematic local en-
terprises which have been successful
in winning territory, inflicting casual
ties and acquiring prisoners. TLese con-
tinue as this Is written.
The Central Powers biggest offensive
against Italy during the past year was
the attack OF the morale OF her soldiers
and civilians. 1t coincided very nearly
with the various affairs" In France. 1t
was finally crushed and defeated by the
thorough exposure OF Germanys
after the military defeat.
The moral rebound which came 70
Italy after the stemming OF the Austro-
German rush on the Piave was further
strengthened by several other factors.
Probably the chief one among them was
the creation OF the Allied "single 'front.'
Long before the appointment Of Gen.
Foch as supreme commander on the
western fronts, the Italians were made
to feel the unity OF Allied interests
when the British and French expedi-
tons took UP their positions on the
new line OF defense. That was after
the Italians, alone, had halted the en-
emy and the best appreciation OF thls
feat IS given in the words OF a high
Allied oflcisl, who said:
"Italy's resistance on the line Of the
Plave viii live among the most IA
nous deeds OF battles OF all ages. u IS
not too much TO say that the cause Of
the Alliance would have been severely
compromised II not more. had not the