The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-05-08
DRIVE AGAINST ITALY.
AUSTRIANS ASSEMBLE IMMENSE
ARMY FROM OTHER FRONTS
FOR OFFENSIVE.
blow Forced by Economic Conditions
Throughout Dual Monarchy
Vatican Announces That Pope Win
Make no Peace Move Now.


Piave river and in the mountainous
region In northern Italy, where the al
lied forces have been holding their
positions since last November, after
the great Italian retreat from the
Isonzo, there Is increased tension and
the threatened blow at this front may
be launched by the Teutonic allies
within few days. For many weeks
the Italian war office has been aware
that the Austrians have been assem-
bling the legions withdrawn from the
Russian and Roumanian fronts for a
drive at the Italian armies and it is
believed that 1t will not be long before
the central powers will make another
attempt to reach the plains of vene-
tia, break through the allies line and
seek a decisive combat in that the
ater.
Emperor Karl of Austria, accom-
panied by his chief Of staff and high
German and army officers. is reported
on his way to the italian front and
the great movement Of troops in Tyrol
and Trentino would seem to indicate
that vast bodies Of men are being
taken from other fronts to be hurled
at the Italian positions.
The blow, 1t Is generally believed,
will fall somewhere in the noun
famous section Of the front, prob
ably in the Lagarina and Astico val
leys. These sectors face the north
and. II broken, would permit the foe
to penetrate into the lower foothills
OF the mountains, or even reach the
plains. II this should occur the
armies along the Piave River would
be compelled to fall back, probably az
far as the Adige River. This would
entail the loss of Venice and a vast
expanse Of country to the enemy.
b.. .Tha -decision. to launch an offensive
of grand proportions in Italy was
doubtless forced by political and
economic conditions prevailing In
Austria. An offensive campaign that
yields OF ground might serve to still
the elements which are seething
throughout the dual empire and would
postpone the day Of reckoning that
seems In store ivr the rulers of Aus
tria.
German domination OF Austria Is
becoming more complete as time goes
on. Tyrol and Bohemia have been
annexed, for food administration pu,
poses. to Germany, but this move in
the great game Of statecraft has serv.
cd only to deepen the chasm between
the racial factions of Austria. Bo.
hemian troops have deserted from the
Austrian armies and have joined the
Italians. and. If an offensive is no,
launched, Generalization of the Aus.
trian forces may come sooner than
the outside world expects
In the meantime. the situation or
the front In France and Flanders has
remained fairly quiet. Nothing np.
preaching a general battle has been
reported. The allies are improving
their lines and awaiting for the Ger.
mans to make the next move.
Pope Benedict has served notice on
the world that the vatican will not
be party to any peace offensive
at the present time. 1t is believed
that Berlin will seek to bring about a
German peace" and If it's advances
are repused, to nerve the German
people to new bath of blood" by
pointing out that the entente allies
desire to crush Germany. Pope Bene-
dict has let it be known that he is
desirous of taking any step which may
tend to shorten the war, but he does
not see at the present any reason to
believe that an appeal would bring
about desired results.
'N "'e""poi iu anu the
ruthless methods being followed by
the Germans in completing the sub
Jugation OF the people have been re-
hected In an address by Vice Chan
cellor Won Payer before the main
committee OF the German reichstag
After detailing the measures adopted
for getting supplies OF grain from
Ukraine and the discontent and unrest
among the people there the vice
chancellor, In referring to leaders OF
the Ukrainiars. made the significa mt
statement that the Germans took
steps to render them harmless"
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