Evening star., 1918-06-02

were forced to climb tied together
and while hurting bombs with one
hand clung to crags with the other.
Italian valor has won piaudits
throughout the world. Though some
hundreds Of prisoners were taken, the
action still remains chiefly important
as conclusive evidence of the high
morale and fighting spirit of Italian
troops. None of the sentiment which
caused the Caporetto disaster is to
be found today in the Italian armies.
The men are impatient for offensive
and defensive actions to start that
they may thoroughly punish the Aus
captured. consolidated and held in the
face of stubborn enemy counter at
tacks.
The British aviation squadron on
the Italian front Is winning many
laurels and scores of enemy machines
have been brought down in recent
months. The Austrian fliers are no
match for the allied pilots. the latter
completely dominating the air. This
is a vital feature in preparation Of
any plans the allies may have in mind
for the summer and fall campaigns
against the enemy.
There have been no signs of a con-
certed Austrian drive in recent weeks.
though there have been sharp infan-
try engagements at isolated points
1t was expected the Austrian drive
would get under way about the time
Tic ICHcWC Gu lnclT Ou
the western front, but 1t is very evi-
dent that the internal troubles of
Austria still are causing the authori-
ties to hesitate about extending their
military operations. 1t cannot be ex-
pected, however. that the period of
quiet on the Italian front will con-
tinue over an extended period.
The question of allied Intervention
in Russia again comes to the fore
1t would appear
Allied Aid for that the action
Russia to Fore. and 1snaness
governments in Siberia will be fur
ther deferred until some sort of
government is established in Rus
sia which the allies can trust 1t is
generally known that the opposition
of the American government to jap
anese Intervention in Russia-its OBJ
lection being based largely on fears
OF Russian antagonism to the Jap
anese-has caused Britain to recon-
slider and it Is declared the British
government will take no further steps
until the atmosphere in Moscow has
cleared materially.
In some circles, however, there are
insistent demands that the allies lend
both military as well as financial as
sistance to the Russians and that in
tervention be carried out in order that
Germanic aggression in the far east
be curbed once and for all time. The
allies, however, for the moment seem
loath to assist Russia as long as Ger
many continues to overrun Russia
and as long as Lenine and the bolshe-
Wiki continue to play into the kaiser's 8
hands.
a., without Russian consent any allied
military movement might lead to be-
trayal of the allies to the Germans.
1t would be an easy matter for the
| bolsheviki. holding as they do mill
| tary and governmental reins. to stir
| vast sections of Russian people into
| open antagonism to allied forces. and
German purposes again would be
served. Until a definite trustworthy
government is formed in Russia, one
| which proves beyond all doubt that
II is in earnest and has Russia's best
| interests at heart. 1t Is hardly likely
that the allies will undertake sug-
gested movements.
! The bolsheviki and other party or
/ gans in Russia oppose allied military
| Intervention and II opposed 1t is
| hardly likely that the allies will stick
their collective head in a lions mouth.
| Though II is admitted that IL Russia
must come through allied financial
assistance, there is not reason to be-
lieve that Russia would not profit by
such aid unless the Russians prove
\ that they are able to keep the Teu-
tonic thief from their treasure chests,
a thing which has been impossible for
them to do SO far. Though lending
every moral support to the mass of
Russian people. who hate the German
| invader, the allies will have difficulty
in doing more than guiding these
masses in making the most Of their
present dilemma. A new governme mt
| In Russia, undoubtedly would be
Ihaled with delight. Allies Immediately
would render II assistance If 1t were
| truly representative of the people.
Such a government would be a good
working medium through which to
extend to Russia the aid that Russia
1 needs.
During the past ten days active
steps have been taken toward con-
clusion of a peace between Russia and
the Ukraine and Russia and Finland
Though peace steps be under way the
German armies have not been de-
TERED in their military activities
having started another advance on
vApAnARh