The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1918-08-08
ITALIANS ARE
Nearer TOA
True VICTORY
NATION NOW STANDS FACING
FOE WITH WILL TO
WIN.
tBy United Pre8s.)

Triest. ana on the direct road to the
interior OF Austria Today they are
-2eiding the line OF the Piave river.
S,erlooking the rich Venetian plain.
now in the hands of the enemy.
But this picture of territorial re
linauishment finds the Italian people
nearer to true victory and realization
of national aspirations than they
were the day before the disaster at
Capo-etio That triumph OF German
intrigue aud propaganda. resulting in
the rout of the Italian army and the
retreat to Piave. was the first step to-
ward the creation of the present ma
tionai solidarity OF Italy for prosecu-
ton of the war.
The extent of Italy's rejuvenation is
illustrated by her tremendous defeat
OF the Austrian offensive. which be
gan along the Io0-mile front from the
Asiagu plateau to the Adriatic. the
morning 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. and in the last days of the
offensive American airmen rendered
important cooperation.
AUsTRiANs CROSS PIAvE.
The Austrians. who made this drive
minus the German aid which has
characterized their former campaigns.
were stopped in the north. but sue
ceeded In crossing the Piave at sew
.rai points. Their greatest penetra-
tion here did no, excel five miles.
however Their losses were stupend
Gus Nearly n million men were en-
Esgcd BY them. and their killed
wounded and missing were estimated
at 25o.ooo.
The Allies took the initiative on the
mountain front on the second day.
and eventually re established the old
line there. The tide turned on the
Piase during the fifth day Rains in
the mountain region flooded the river
preventing the Austrians bringing up
reinforcements. ammunition or food
ON June 20 the Austrian retreat be-
zsn. In some places II became an
utter ront. They lost more than a5.-
900 prisoners.
After winning back their old lines
along the Piave. the Italians. British
and French began Systematic local
enterprises which have been success
fui In winning territory. intiicting
eauaiities and acquiring prisoners
These continue as this is written.
PROPAGANDA OFFENSIVE.
The Central Powers biggest offens-
i've against Italy during the past year
was the attack of the morale of her
soldiers and civilians. II conceded
very nearly with the various affairs"
in France. II was finally crushed and
defeated by the thorough exposure
OF Germany's trcachery after the mill
tary defeat
The moral rebound which came to
italy after the stemming OF the Aus
tro-German rush on the Piave was fur.
ther streugthener 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 10 feel the
unity OF Allied interests when the
British and French expeditions took
up their positions on the new line of
defense. That was after the Italians
alone. had halted the enemy. and the
best appreciation OF this feat is Civ
en- in the words of high AIlied Of
ficial. who said:
'Itaiy's resistance on the line OF the
Piave will live among the most IA.
nous deeds of battles of all ages. II
ia not too much to say that the cause
of the Alliance would have been Sc.
veerly compromised, II not more. had
not the Italian troops stood their
ground and turned back the invaders
from Italy on those celebrated defens.
es. I firmly believe that that great
feat OF arms not only had an object
i've result OF enormous Importance; I
believe II has been OF enormous ser.
vice to the Italians themselves. They
have come out OF that trial with great
er unity. with great self.confidence.
and. II possible, with greater cour-
age than they ever had before"