The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1918-06-26

day, says the official statement.
Washington, June 25 - News from
Italy today, while confirming the
great victory won by the Italians in
hurting the Austrian army across
the Piave in disorganized retreat,
threw little additional light upon the
extent of the disaster to the enemy.
Until figures are available showing
more fully the loss of the dual mon
archy in men and material, officers
here hesitated to form opinions as to
the probable effect the defeat will
have on the whole military situation.
On the face of the latest news from
the Italian front, it appeared to many
observers that the Austrian army as
an offensive weapon, is not to be ser
iously considered for months to come.
1t will take time to repair the damage
to morale and equipment, even il the
internal situation produced by short
age of food among the civilian popu-
lation does not further cripple Aus
tria's military power. The dual mon
archy by itself is believed here to be
out of the fighting for the present
summer.
What Germany plans to do or will
be able to do to aid her chief ally is
another matter. AS yet there is no
sign of great movement of German
/ troops to the Italian front. Unless
such movement is undertaken i'm
mediately, many officers here are con-
vinced that it will mean that Germany
intends to seek to save the situation
by attempting at once to complete her
offensive projects in France.
There are many American officers
who do not believe the internal sit
uation in Austria as serious as re-
ports from adjacent countries indi-
cate and that Germany is confident its
ally can hold against the Italians long
enough to permit it to concentrate all
its power for final blow in France.
These officers anticipate the opening
of great drive on the western front
at any moment. If it does not come,
they will regard it as an admission by
the German high command that the
whole Austrian military and govern
mental fabric is tOttering and must
fall unless German power is rushed
to its support
In any event keen satisfaction Is
taken here In the certainty that the
Germans are facing new and serious
problems as a result of the Italian
triumph on the Piave, while General
Foch is seeing his forces Increased
every day as the American troops
pour ashore from their transports.
General Foch's most, doubtful hours
have passed, 1t is believed, although
months of bitter fighting may be Just
ahead, while for the Germans a crisis
Is at hand.
The Italians at last have cleared
the remaining Austrian rear guards
from the west bank of the Piave river
and now are in possession of the en-
tire river from the Montello plateau
to the sea. At last accounts their
forces crossed the stream in pursuit
of the retreating Austrians we're still
harassing them, inflicting heavy cas-
ualties and forcing the enemy to con-
tinue his disorderly retreat.
Fate, however has turned some
what its balance in favor of the Aus
trians, for the Piave river has again
risen and some of the pontoon bridges
the Italians had thrown across the
stream have been carried away, max
ing impossible quick pursuit and
the crushing of the Austrians which
General Diaz had counted upon. The
Austrians are declared to be rushing
up reserves from the east in an en-
deavor to partly relieve the situation.