The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-08-10
LINES AND MORAL FAILS
Continued from First Page)
are now making and will con-
tinuc TO make, but they must
also attempt an offensive opera
ton AT some point where there
is some chance of StIccess

In view of the reception which
General Diaz forces accorded the
Austrians in their disastrous attempt
to bank the Italian forces by cross
ing the Fiave, it would appear that
another attempt at that line would
give slight promise of success. But
If an offensive operation is as vitality
necessary TO the cause of the military
party as it now appears, IL would
seem as If the italian front Is the only
point where such an operation can
be undertaken
"Of course, it is quite impossible to
divulge at this time the strength OF
the allied army which confronts the
Austrians on the Italian front. 1t has
been suggested, however, that if the
German leaders can bring about a
deadlock on the French front, pre-
sumably on the heavily fortified line
which they held in March of this
year, that they might be expected to
transfer some of their best divisions
to the Italian front in an effort 10
break the Italian line.
1T has been said that fifteen or
twenty German divisions Of shock
troops would perhaps be enough to
lead the sixty five or seventy Austrian
divisions now holding the line.
Whether they would be sufficient is,
of course, something for the German
leaders to determine Certainly We
can view the future with confidence
For if the Germans should attempt
such a maneuver. 1t is now apparent
that General Foch has a great and
powerful reserve. which Is being aug
mented by al least a quarter of mill
hon men every month. If the Ger
mans should attempt a great assault
in Italy, one may rest assured that
the two excellent railway lines from
France to Italy would be ready to
transfer as many fighters as may be
necessary to stem the attack. More
over. the supply OF motor lorries now
s excellent.
What may occur on the French
front in the coming weeks is not easy
to forecast. It would appear, how
ever. that General Foch VIII force
the Germans to give up much ground
| they have taken and that in these OPP
erations his master strategy Will re-
suit In the capture of many thousands
Of prisoners and much material. Pris-
oners are always of greatest value,
but because of the shortage of labor
and of man power in Germany, every
piece of material which the Ger
mans are forced to give up or destroy
will prove equally costly to the
kaiser's cause"
Great interest attaches here TO the
drive Of the British toward NeuVe
Chappele. 1t is held that If this city
can be retaken and the British are
able to move few miles to the east
and take by assault the Aubers
Ridge. the German line running
south to Arras will be in great danger
and the great salient fronting on
/ Amiens would become even more
/ hazardous for the enemy.
The coming forty-eicht hours, 1t
ia thought, will give far better lndl-
cation of the progress which the Ger
mans have made in reforming their
broken divisions and the true strength
of the reserves held along the Pc
ardv and Flanders fronts. promi-
nent American officer said;
The situation is such now that one
il almost persuaded to believe that
the German line may suddenly crum-
pie in almost any spot. Not that we
can expect that great gains can De
made by the allies this year but we
can look for a succession OF blows
which will make the German soldier
and the German citizen heartily SICK
of the war and his part in 1t,