The sun., 1918-11-05


German Austria. The shortest way to
establish connection between the Csechs
and the southern slavs IL through Fiume
and Asrarh. For the proper use OF
Fiumc as a base we must have posses
sion Of the Austrian feet. 1t Is excel
lent news that the Croats in F4ume have
that In their possession. We must AZ
sumo German Austria will continue
inlmical, butt the fatal Weakness of
German Austria is that abe cannot feed
herself and Is dependent upon the re-
vblted provinces. ...-..--..
Austrias part In the war has been
exceedingly interesting and In spite OF
repeated defeats has been Of inestimable
value to Germany. Austria had the
reputation for defeat, but the material
Of her armies Is every whit as good as
Germany's and better. than Russias,
but 1t suffered two weaknesses which
have been it's undoing.
Two Austrian weaknesses.
First there was no such thing as an
Austrian nationality. Secondly, the
higher ranks IN the army were infected
with court influence and incurable
snobbery which is the besettng sin of
Austrian society. The technical services
OF the Austrian army are excellent. Its
maps ara famous and its heavy artillery
better than the German All this good
work was sterIlized by the slackneas and
inefYiciency Of the higher command. yet
nothing Is less deserved than the sn"ers
OF German critics.
The Austrian army and Austria's SER
vices to Germany have been far greater
and more continuous than Germanys
service TO her. although Germany twice
In this war had saved her from ruin.
Germany's whole plan of campaign pos
tulated that Austria was capable no
longer Of holding up Russia but even
OF conducting an offensive asainst her.
II this role was beyond AuEtria's
powers the grievance was on the side
OF Austria, who may legitimately COM
plain che was sacrificed to the offensive
In France. which served nothing but the
Inordinate ambitions OF her dominant
partner in the alliance.
Eject Upon Germany.
With Austria out Of the war Germany
will realize how much her position IL
weakened. politically. for Austria was
the first story OF the Imperial structure
which now has crashed to the ground,
The detection OF Austria and tho expos
ing of a new frort puts Germany In
weaker position than she would have
| been even II our victory In france CO.
incided with Russia's greatest military
vgor. The loss Of Austria's navy makes
the Mediterranean an allied lake.
These things are sure TO have
marked effect upon Germanys choice
for war or for peace. The cause of Aus
tria's breakdown Is not purely military,
for her capacity in sustaining military
, defeat was wonderful and her limit had
! not been reached. The decisive causes OF
her defeat were not 50 much military
az political and economic.
She had fallen a victim TO the COM
bined effects Of a blockade by sea and
by land Had she been single political
unit she might have endured the sea
blockade longer. but this was succeeded
BY land blockade by her dlsaffectel
provinces
Her defeat must he ascribed 10 the
allied navles: political propaganda
which loosened her ramshackie imperial
structure. the detection of Bulgaria and
| the impulse It gave the forces of dis
ruption within. and lastly to the preoc-
+ cupation Of Germany owing to the allied
victories in the west.