El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-06-19


assurance Of success than that which has now begun
the Italian front where 90 Austrian divisions at
lacking along front Of 100 miles, an offensive which
appears doomed to failure almost from the start.
Practically, the Austrians TO have been stopped
almost in their tracks Although continuing
pressure along the line their gains have been very small
and many of these have been lost subsequent counter
attacks by the defending forces Indeed in two
line but have struck back into Ausrianhed ground and
taken it.
II is an axiom Of war that an offensive which does
gain momentum within the first few days after its
inception IS doomed to failure. One more Of several
conditions may bring about surprise element
may be lacking The opposed forces may be too nearly
equal me ATTACK nay DC Improperly planned OF executed
The morale Of the aItscking forces may be such
to long gains IN the face Of determined opposition
The obstacles Of the terrain may be too great
We know that some Of these conditions have worked
favor Of the allies and against the AustrOHunga
There element Of surprise. The Italians and their
than and had been fully prepared It that long
Austria ungarv has no overwhelming superiorv Of men
the line; the strength OF the Italian army counting
Its British and French support Is estimated at considerably
more than 100000 Whether the attack was properly
planned and executed we do not yet know but we do
know the obstacles Of the terrain especially in the noun
tam country very great and suspect that the morale
Of me alng iooes Is nor up 70 par because an AuSll
hungary IS known 70 be heartily SICK OF the way and IS
fighting only under German pressure Further, wholesale
assertions have caused the enemy high command take
extraordinary measures 10 deal with that EVIL even issuing
general orders offering high rewards to those who shoot
deserers wiz be agreed that such offer, contained
orders OF the day, unusual be remarkable
On the other hand, Italy goes into this offensive in
better condition than when Austro-Gernan armies
gan their offensive Of 1917 on the Isonzo line At that
time, German propaganda circulated among the Italian
sodery by Germans IN the Italian uniform and among the
Italian civil population by other means There division
II the Italian parliament with the Socialists the dis
turolng element Inc peace sentiment was very strong
the country beginning to be tired Of
There element Of self defence in this, iuasmuch as
ltaan territory was not menacec5 the ltaans were tnen
Austrian soil attacking the LsibachGoTizia line with
Trieste al the immediate goal
There also shortage Of guns the Italians after
ward claimed, and SAID the allies had been bonn
barded with requests from Rome to hasten heavy guns
the Isouzo help the offensive. The allies
not under unified leadership They had affairs Of their
attend and requests from France Flanders
for their guns and the weapons were not sent When
the offensive broke the effects Of the propaganda came
evidence at The second army gave way IN
vital and let the enemy through The Italian amy
was obliged TO fail back, fighting all the way, until It
reached tie present line Of the Piave In the meantime
Austro-Germz1s had taken about 10000 prisoners
25o0 guns, immense amounts Of materials and con-
SIDERABLE amount OF territory Leu zen count CaaoTna
Italian commander chief had relieved Of command
and Gen Daz succeeded him And the northern allies had
sent British and French forces to stiffen the line
That was the way the first great offensive broke on
Italy This IS the second. It finds the Italian army fully
reorganzd and vel squpped II fnds the whole country
on its guard against enemy influences and waging
Of self defence Italian soil The morale Of the Italian
sodiery is praised by less competent critic than
own Gen. EbeH Swift, head Of the American military mis-
sion IN Italy. The British and French supporting forces
SIN remain n Italy 70 give aid and encouragement to
sent TO the French line holding the right wing next to the
Swiss border.
% lLalanS nave Oeeu maze READY 10 resist
1--WE they standing staunchy. The question now
arises the allies strong enough IN Italy develop
COMMUNICATIVE when the Austsn forego the attack?
The prospect is rather aurng. It may be that Gen.
Foch-hs IS IN command IN Italy, the other
ronts elect to inaugurste hs counteroffensIve on Il
he Italian front instead Of the French front in
Flanders There is outward indication TO support
ne belief that the Austro-Eungarau organization is &
sound and that If VIII dsntegrate rapidly the hard outer
hen Of resistance the Italian line be broken To
prevent such debac Germany would be obliged to send "
strong divisions from the French Flanders lines italy,
hus relieving the pressure IN the west Not to do so
would the collapse Of Hungary inasnuch as
civilian element sick and of starving il
md ready to seize any preteZt for giving way. even
neenth Of the reports coming Of
true, the dual monarchy very badly off IF the allies 81
ould the collapse Of Ausrsungay, the effect
Germany might be disastrous G
What the allies VII do is purely speculation, for Gen e.