South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-06-30

I'D stin night OF that the Italians had an immediate
snd easy triumph The nrst DAYS OF dghting were
exceedingly severe and the Austrians have
shown unusual contempt for losses and unexpected
tenacity. They beaten only because Italian
morale higher Italian high command fuis
prepared and Italian numbeis equal TO al demands.
There submerging Of any sector such has
become familiar in German attacks In France Italian
reserves We're ready 10 intervene before the orWarde
had been abolished. The familiar trench condl-
tions seem TO have prevailed and there was nothine
approXimatlng oreak-throush even az Monielio.
where the Austrians were most successful
BATTLE IN MAIN Is
ITALIAN TRIUMPH.
Much said OF the work of British conungents
something Of the service OF French units But
may be doubted If more than British division
present and there great French force involved
The Battle OF the PiaNe was ~ the main an Italian
triumph the Italians belong the great credit
than "a year Italy had remade her army. and
with the army the civilians behind the line had been
reorganized. All things considered. the blow was Gan
heavier than that which produced the Caporeto dis
aster. Seveny-one divisions thee dni-
the pick OF the Austrian army which had
been reconstructed FOR this efort
OF these divisions a good many seem 10 have been
put action the rest or the campaign. the
stubbornness OF the hghtns indicates high losses and
losses which the OF the assailant must have
far greater FOR the Italians Moreover. the
Austrian must have the Hapsburg
of material in addition guns which hsd
been moved across the river while the advance was
unchecked before the rains IN the mountains
caused the river leave its banks
There remains the great question OF what explains
the transformation OF the Italian army IN period
much shorter than a year. Many elements must be-
involved in the answer. First OF all it well
member that only italian responsible
the Caporetto disaster and that army made
up second line troops. assigned quiet sector
where no serious operation expected
At the moment of Caporetto the the Italian
army the Isonzo and the Bainsizza pla
making q magnificent hsht The valor, the
endurance and tenacity Italian tight
ing the lower lsonzo last year remain splendid
page Italian military history
RAILN OF MAIN
FORCE WAS PROMPT
On the other hand, inferior troops on quiet sec
tor were unquestionably undermined by enemy
eanda and did desert post Of danger under at
tack which the least able with the
present attack, although in view OF the German sue
cesses in France this year there must be tendency
revise the efficacy Of the German attack
Caporetto.
In any event the rally Of the main italian
prompt great disaster avoided Italy STOOD
al the Piave before she effectively
aided by allied arms The consequences OF the defeat
Immediately shown IN revival OF Italian deter
We NAV saw that the sight OF half OF veneta occ,-
pied by enemy. knowledge Of what Italian
women and children suffering OF what italian
towns enduring the invaded districts served
Dalmatan coast or the Vienna did not
and could not. However Italy may have been divided
over the question Of offensive FOR gTandIose
objectves she was united IN determination 10 pre-
serve her unity. great sacrifices IN the
century and the presence or the Austrian in
vajer in Neneta served 70 consolidate the nation ana
reanmate the soldier
It is interesting to perceive the between
the Italian the Russian events Defeats Russia
led TO destruction nation little permested with
any national sentiment and still collection races
ratber than a great peope bound by common ideals
and a common unity. the italy, the
rary although Italian unity had achieved only
few decades essential unity the
tested ersty, exactly French unity and
national spirit had famed up after the early defeats
which preceded the Battle Of the Marine in 1914
HARDLY LESS NOTABLE
THAN FRENCH VICTORY
The Battle OF the PIave event IN the Mill
tarv history OF the world 30 IS enormous con-
tribution o the cause critical hour and
a critical campaign It's effect politically must be- be-
vond its military effect. effect hardy
be exaggerated. But IT is worth while recalling also
that likely enduring incident in the his
tory OF the Italian people "a Is more landmark
in the brilliant history Italian people History
triouc devotion unfalins Nov. after terrible
feat long suffering Italy has emerged victorious
with tar greater nation possessing larger
human resources IN numbers ana aided oy German
material German strategy.
Italy Verdun the Pisve o.
hardly important 10 the allies than that
French victory along the Meuse which held the lire
until Britain could arrive
on military side the
consciousness Of the victory The Austrians stiu
stand at they retire the Tasls
where they have made great prepa ratons
and created strong defense line. they
rhey stood prior the victory wear.
Iu any unless their loses nd
submits a eOmpaI aoie 10 that or fhe
chances OF considerable italian advance are sisht
and natural obstacles the Wsr Italian "a
vance toward Vienna great mat could onIv
forecast progress accepting present signs
a. indicative Of complete rels Austrian mirarr
pouer-snd the present slgns DO not any
expectations what is clear % would seem that ne
mower of Austria for offensive operations this
without German al broken and that anr German
aid sent Italian front weaken srestIr
perhaps decsvey the weight ~ the German niow In