The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-11-07
AMID ITALIAN
REJOICING ENEMY
TROOPS SUFFER
FOR LACK OF FOOD
fRx Associated Press. }

So With the IralIan army at IrleSt,
Wednesday, Nov. 6.-Amid the re-
1otcing Of this redeemed city scenes
or destruction and starvation are
over which the Italian troops are
trying to pass the thousands OF Aus
trian prisoners who were cut off by
the Italians southwest Of BelZano.
lei Worse Than NRpoIeon's Retreat
Every road leading up to this city
is crowded with men and on every
hand there are evidences Of the COL
lapse Of one OF Burope's mightiest
armies.
,@. The horrors of Napoleon's retreat
from Russia, 1t is said by military
observers, were trifiing compared
with the sufferings Of the Austrian
troops in this region. Great masses
of men wait for long hours to move
a few feet or a few hundred yards.
to halt anew on a road Uttered with
the carcasses of horses and with
cannon, pieces of shields, pistols, RI
fles. broken down auto trucks and
machine guns.
Italians Sorry War 10 Ended
81 There is no swearing among these
men. There are even moments Of
profound quiet broken by snatches Of
songs. Italian soldiers seem posi-
lively sorry that the end OF the war
is appearing. They say: Whats a
few months fore. now that we are
sure of victory?''
Austrians Eat Dead Horsss
Many Austrians are dying from
sheer fatigue and starvation, and not
wounds. The italians are doing all
they can to hurry up supplies. This
Is difficult and in the meantime dead
4 horses are eaten. the flesh being
cooked by the roadside by fires kin
died by the soldiers.
Large bodies of Austrian are help
less. The correspondent passed be-
tween Roverto and Trent. a distance
OF 16 miles. an unending column Of
men marching. none knew whittier.
"Food. Food" They Cry
They asked orders from an officer
swho was with the correspondent.
when asked If they knew about the
arrnistice they said: 1--WE want food.
Food is the only thing we are inter-
ester in We are Indifferent to war
and peace and death-everything
but food"
49, Hilarious Italians
~. ~ Strange tales are told Of the ex-
,Eploits Of Italian prisoners returning
home. Above Trent a group of Ital-
Ian prisoners broke out and ordered
1.-The chauffeur of a truck to drive
them to the italian lines and the
man obeyed. Another Italian pris-
toner mounted on horseback at the
head of a regiment Of Austrians an
.nounced smilingly: These are my
captives."
Austrians Wander Like Sheep
'1hIt is estimated that nine Austrian
divisions were taken with their
fstaffs. Thirty nine divisions were
partly disorganized and fifteen, al
Though in bad condition. are retreat
ing from the advancing Italians.
These troops, while equipped for
their retreat. are without orders and
go travelling here and thera like
zdroves of sheep. It Is a common thing
TO see an entire brigade without Of
-ftcers, the latter having been ordered
TO 20 separately to the concentration
camps.
General Abandons His Men
The correspondent saw at Pergire
the general of the Sixth Austrian di-
Vision motoring along in his own car.
lI1e said he was going home, having
been given special permission. In the
meantime his troops have been aban-
doned.
49, countrymen Meet Again
The Italian officer with the CORES
pondent told what he considered
beautiful story. Another officer left
his motor car In little garden over
night and two Austrians nearby
were ordered to watch it. They re-
Eponded in the officers own Venetian
dialect. The italian embraced them
crying: "You are from my country.
Italians do not make imperialistic
war"
Suffer Vet Rejoice
Returning to the lower levels Of
the mountains by way Of the Asiago
plateau. the correspondent saw fur
Their evidence Of the devastation of
war. There is not a house left stand
Ing, in the town Of Asiago. There is
also much suffering among the peo-
pie throughout the mountains. who
ARE feodless and been robbed of their
possessions. BY a miracle the rig
orus Alpine winter has not vet set
ran and these people say: These raw
ages are necessary, They remain glo-
Fious memories Of our salvation"
italian Troops Feed Enemy
The problem Of feeding the multi
tude of prisoners is grave but the
Italians are making a superhumanN
effort. They also are treating the
prisoners as we'll as possible. It is
common to see hardy italian troops
generously toss their own bread ra-
ttons to the Austrians, saying laugh
4Igly: Tomorrow is another day,
We will eat then