Norwich bulletin., 1918-06-25

Washington, June z4.-Germany's entire offensive programme may have been upset in the opinion of some of f1cers here by the crushing defeat of the Austrians along the Piave river.
 Official reports reaching Washing ton bear out the picture of the Aus trian disaster given in press accounts from Italy, although the full extent of the Italian success is not yet ap- parent. It is regarded as certain, However. that the Central Powers have been dealt blow that will fur ther shake the morale of their people and probably will compel the German high command to make a complete readjustment of it's plans in France.
 Secretary Baker showed the sigpi- ficance attached here to the defeat of the Austrians when he despatched the following telegram today to the Amer ican ambassador at Rome for trans mission to the Italian minister of var
 Secretary Bakers Message.
 "The people of the United States gre watching with enthusiasm and the great army of Italy in resisting and driving back the enemy forces which recently undertook a major of fensive on the Italian front I take great pleasure in rendering my own hearty congratulations and would be most happy to have a message of greeting and congratulation transmit ted to General Diaz and his brave soldiers"
 MT. Bakers message was sent be- fore the secretary had received ad- ditional reports from the Italian front showing the increasing scope of the Austrian disaster. It was prompted by the fact that the enemy was in retreat across the Piave and before l'the news came that the Italians had smashed up the retreating foe, making the retirement a disorganized rout There is no doubt here that the vic tory will prove to be one of the most decisive in character of the whole war.
 May Divert German Troops From France.
 Army officers agreed with the view expressed by MT Baker that the de- Ieat could not help but influence great Iy the course of events in France. It is regarded as vital from the German point of view that the Italian front be made secure before German designs in France can be prosecuted to their fullest development. While there is imminent danger that the Austro- Hungarian government may collapse, Germany cannot devote herself wholly to the task she has undertaken of forcing victory in the west before American man power can swing the scales finally against her.
 For this reason. both at the war de- partment and in diplomatic circles ! there was much speculation as to the moves to support Austria already | taken by the German high command 1 There is little doubt that reports ot large German troop. movements to 1 Italy are well founded and it is be- 1 lieved the situation must be restored there at all costs unless the whole great offensive in France is to fall oi it's own weight.
 The German problem in rushing troops to Italy is a difficult one. No only will the withdrawal of men iron France weaken the whole offensive effort there at a time when American aid. the arrival of Italian divisions and other measures are beginning tt place at General Foch's disposa enough reserves to enable him tc strike hard at any weakened point but the transportation of a sufficient force to offset the Italian victory must necessarily be slow.
 Italians Took Quick Advantage.
 Secretary Baker pofnte1 out today that the Italians under General Dia5 fresh from successful check of tl1t | Austrian advances, took quick and I fIn advantage of the rapid rise of tht River Piave behind the enemy Indi cations are that the flower of the Aus trian enemy, employed in forcing tht crossing. has been virtually annihi lated and the Italians are drivins home their victory relentlessly. Every
 day means further disorganization among the Austrians at the presen
 rate. German achievements mugt
 arrive quickly and in force, many of 1 ficers believe, unless the Austrian
 war machine is to he crippled fo
 months to come at least
 1 Food Riotinq in Austria.
 Meanwhile official reports show tn
 growing seriousness of the food riot
 ing in Austria. The people apparent
 ly are in no condition to stand a grea
 military reverse such as that the,
 must now face. Immediate German action to support her ally seems ab
 solutely necessary in the view of of ficials here, unless the back door t f Berlin itself is to be left unguarded.
 There have been many signs recent , ly that General Foch was rapidly get