The evening leader., 1918-07-27

J fensive. The abortive Austrian at
tack against Italy in June is also look
led upon as merely another attack
against the western front and not as
"a distinct military operation.
But these attacks perhaps would
never have been begun had it not been
for the collapse of Russia during the
past winter German and Austrian
troops, released from the Russian
front, were taken to France and Italy
to swell the masses of men hurled
against the allies in the western thea
tire of operations. As long as Russia
remained in the fight she held great
numbers of Teutonic troops in the
East, and her withdrawal from the
war exercised fundamental influence
on the course of its development.
Situation Year Ago.
The year opened with the fortunes
Of war apparently favoring the En-
tente. The British had forced back
the Germans to the famous Hinden-
burg line. The French had established
themselves firmly along the Chemin
Ides Danes. north of the Aisne. The
echoes of Verdun were still ringing
the knell of German hopes in that sec
tor of the battle area. The Italians
were holding their lines along the
Isonzo. The rejuvenated Russian
regiment of July First" had carried
the war into the Austrian defenses in
Bukowina and Galicia.
Through August and September,
1917, there came rumors that Russia
was exhausted by the war, and quiet
settled down along the line from the
gates of the Carpathians to the Baltic.
Sfocies were heard of fraternization
OF German and Russian troops but as
sursnces came from Petrograd that
Russia would stand true to her allies.
Fall Offensive III Italy.
The German and Austrian high COM
nlands had no illusions as to further
Russian belligerency. There came to
tie allies reports that the Central en-
pres were taking the pick of their
forces from the Russian front and
concentrating them for drive against
some part of the line in the western
theatre. Then came intimations that
the blow was aimed against Italy.
The storm broke at. Cappretto on
October 26 and almost Immediately
the whole Italian line was thrown in
to disorder. Pouring through the
passes, where in some instances disaf-
fected Italian troops held positions,
the Germans and Austrians made
progress which from the first was
alarming. By wise generalship, the
Italian line was withdrawn from the
Isonzo. 1t paused at the Tagliamento
and then retired further until it rested
on the Piave, almost within sight of
the domes of Venice. Here the Italian
army reformed it's columns, consoli-
dated its positions by withdrawing
from the Rhaetian mountains to the
Asiago plateau and, assisted by the
French reinforcements brought to
that battlefront, stood at bay.
Russian Collapse.
Events in the meanwhile had been
moving swiftly in Russia. On No
vember /, while the offensive against
Italy was under way, Alexander F.
Kerensky, then the Russian premier,
announced that Russia was worn out
by the war and that the allies must
shoulder the burden thenceforth.
Seven days later Kerensky was de-
posed by the Bolsheviki. The fall
and flight of Kerensky was the signal
for Germany and Austria to enter in
to peace negotiations with Russia On
November 80 the Bolsheviki announc-
ed that Russia was out of the war and
proposed that all the allies join in ne
/ gotiations for an armistice.
| Russian and German representatives
iraet at Brest Litovsk on December %
| (Contin,ad IN naro fo,,,N