The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-11-09

france knew II In h earliest hours Of
he war, and, knowing her southeast
ern frontier was safe, took her military
measures accordingly. Moreover 1t was
the warning of all Italian ambassador
which led Britain TO keep her fleet mob
tlized in the critical days just before
wal came.
From August, 1914. to May, 1915
Italy stood neutral. A great battle was
waged in tho peninsula between this
German influences and the Italian pa
triots, who saw clearly that neutrality
was not possible, Once 1t was decided
that Italy would not march with Ger.
many and with Austria, a thing impos-
sible, then II was not less patent thai
Italy could not stay outside the wal
and mainain her moral or material p0.
sition in the world after the war had
ended. Like the United States. Italy
was i~neluctably drawn into the con
flict.
As In the case of the United States,
a vast German propaganda vas oper-
ated In italy. Rulow, the most astute
OF German diplomatists, conducted the
diplomatic battle; newspapers and poll
ticians were purchased. Giolitti, the
most powerful single politician IN ltaIy'
was a champion of that neutrallst pol
Icy which served the German ends.
Yet the campaign failed, A great out
burst Of national emotion, a sudden
recurrence OF the old, but never for
gotten ambition to liberate the ltal-
ians remaining In Austrian chains, an
explosion OF that emotion which was
In the hearts Of a young Italy rising
to power, with new and nobler anu
billions for their nation, swept the Ger
man intrigue out Of the Italian penin-
sula.
Came at Crisis.
1t was a gigantic referendum. 3
blebiscite, nationwide, which brought
Italy into the war. She came at a
critical moment. Already the battle OF
the Dunajec had opened that terrible
cycle of Russian disasters, which were
to lead to the fall Of the ROmanoffs
and the extinction OF Russia as a ma
ton. Despite the high hopes OF the
allies, founded on an imperfect realiLa-
ton Of essential facts. Italy was not
able TO take the road 10 Vienna in her
first campaign. She flung her troops
against the fixed positions OF the AUS
TRANS, prepared In the full light Of the
lessons of the contemporary war OF
positions, and they failed to break
through.
In 1915 Italy had to undergo a blow
almost as heavy and quite as danger
GUS as that borne by the French at
Nerdun. An Austrian drive toward the
Venetian plain from Trent came within
an ace OF suCCess-was halted within
sight of the plain, Afterward Italy took
the offensive and captured Gorilla, but
again her offensive VAS checked, she
lacked the material, her allies were
we're still lacking in the resources
needed to eXpel tho Germans from
France. Despite its brilliant opening,
Italy's effort in 1915 ended in no great
progress,
It was worse last year, when Italy,
after magnificent effort and colossal
sacrifice, had mounted TO BiansIzza pla-
tesu, was blasting a passage toward
Laibach. Then Germany came to the
aid OF Austria, using the troops freed
by Russian collapse. and exactly a
year ago the disaster OF Caporetto
marked the beginning Of a series OF
German victories which led them almost
within range OF Paris in July Of the
present year. At tho time Caporctto
an inexplicable disaster, 1t was
due mainly 10 the collapse OF the home
front The Italian people were tenn
porarily yielding under the strain Of
postponed. They felt themselves neg
abandoned by their greater al
lies. Every sort OF poison worked to
the dtsarray OF an Italian army. which
at the moment Of victory seemed sud-
denly to melt away In supreme dis
Yet. looking backward at Caporetto.
II seems less ineXnlicable in@the light
Of later military events. The tactics
employed there were successful a few
later against the British and
about the wreck OF Coughs
British army. they were sue
against the French two months
at the Ghemin des Danes and
produced the most complete French
defeat OF the whole war. II was not
until the opening phase Of the second
that Gouraud's defense broke
this o German method.
Big Peril Passed,
After Caporetto Italy suddenly raj
lied at the Piaye, aided by British and
armies, The moment Of gu
peril passed. The Italian army
was ~rcorganized and the home front
restored. Italy entered the campaign
she contributed the first shining tri-
umph. Her victory at the Piave In
June was the first in the long series,
which has not yet ended, but a
about the surrender OF Tur-
KEY, Bulgaria and Austria. The sec
,nd Piave was the foundation OF Foch's
alter strategy. for II definitely assured
him that Austria as an offensive force
was out c the war.
Yet, even In victory. Italy was sttll
weak to push an offensive She
VAS outnumbered and ~outgunned, she
outmunitioned and before the null
tiple lines Of enemy intrenchmentE her
were still immobilized. Prom
June 60 late October Italy. held 70