Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-06-28
The PiGye. and After.

The victory along the Piave is singularly rich in
potentialties. What the Italians already have done
is among the most substantial as we'll the most
brilliant achievements of the war; they have turned
great Austrian offensive into a disastrous Aus
trian retreat, and have dealt the enemy blow
from which neither his ranks his morale will
soon recover. But this may prove merely pro-
logue to greater acts coming on
1t is not altogether improbable that the Allied
forces on the Italian front may seize the present
advantage to launch far-reaching drive with a
view to attaining what General Cadorna so nearly
approached last autumn the possession of Laibach.
which is the key to Vienna. Cadorna, it will be
recalled hammered and cut his way forward
through extremely difficult terrain, in the teeth
of bitter resistance, captured Gorilla and was fair
ly on the way to taking Laibach At that critical
moment came the Russian de5ace, releasing large
contingents of Teuton troops from the east. An
overwhelming mass was hurled against the Italians,
whose mountain flank was but thinly guarded and
whose supplies had been allowed to run precariously
low. Thus the glorousy fruits Of Cadorna's
advance were lost But conditions now are rad
icalIy different The Allies fully mindful of the i'm
portance of the Italian front, have reinforced it
literally with power and with all other neces-
saries. The enemy draw additional forces
from the east. His propaganda, once so democrat
izing to a portion of the Italian army, has lost its
power to deceive; and his spirits lower
than for many day. In these circumstances it is
not altogether unlikely, say, that Allied
offensive of major proportions may be launched
with the elimination of Austria as its objective.
Against this line of superstition stands the con-
tngency of Germany's coming in force to her allys
aid or of starting at some crucial point the
western front offensive that would absorb all
the reserves which General Foch we'll could spare
Certain it is that Germany will leave untred no
possible stroke strategy to Austra-H Hungary
from collapse; and of all which
should avoid none is more dangerous than tina. of
Understanding the enemy's resourcefulness and
power 1t is apparent however, that the Germans
face peculiarly threatening situation. If they
divert any formidable number of troops from the
western front, they expose themselves to what
might easily prove smashing blow on some sector
in that quarter. Or if sending help co Austria
merely keeps them from renewing their drive in
the west, where they have yet achieved nothing of
decisive Importance, they will labor under a
grave disadvantage in fact, they will be defeated
as far as the purpose for which they began their
western drive is concerned. Yet if they do not
send help, and send it in speedy abundance. Aus
tra will be pressed closer and closer to the verge II
ruin; her power far from crashing in a day, might
survive for many months to come; but it would be
foredoomed
From whichever standpoint it is regarded,
therefore, whether opening the way for a great
polling extensive diversion of German forces
from the west, the victory along the Pave is filed
with far-reaching potentialities.