The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-27
Nation Now Stands Facing Foe
With VIII To Win.
A Year Ago Armies Were With
in 12 Miles of Triest.
THEN CAME THE BIG DEBACLE
German Propaganda Had I'm
dermined the Nation.
With Morale Restored Italy
Has Routed Her Foes.
Copyright, 1918, by the United Press)

Copyright, 1918. by the United Press.)
Rome, July IA year ago, the It
allan armies were within ~ miles of
Triest, and on the direct road to the
interior of Austria. Today they are
holding the line of the -Piave river,
overlooking the rich Venetian plain,
now IN the hands of the enemy.
But this picture of territorial re-
linquishment finds the italian people
nearer to true victory and realization
of national aspirations than they were
the day before the disaster at Cap
oretto. That triumph of German in
trigue and propaganda. resulting in
the rout of the Italian army and the
retreat to the Piave, was the first step
toward the creation of the present ma
tional solidarity of Italy for prosecu-
ton of the war.
The extent of 1taly's regeneration is
illustrated by her tremendous defeat
along the 100-mile front from the
Asiago plateau to the Adriatic, the
morning of June Is.
Unlike the previous offensive, this
effort found the Italian armies ready
and waiting. British and French
with the Italians in the mountain re-
gion. and in the last days of the Of
fensive. American airmep rendered
important cooperation.
Agstrians Cross Piave.
The Austrians. who made this drive
minus the German aid which had
characterized their former campaigns,
were stopRed in the north. but sue
ceeded in -rossing the Piave at several
nnjntS Their greatest
here did not exceed five miles, how
ever. Their losses were stupendous.
Nearly a million men were engaged by
them, and their killed, wounded and
missing were estimated at 100000.
The allies took the initiative on the
mountain front on the second day, and
eventually re-established the old line
there. The tide turned on the Pave
during the fifth day. Rains in the
mountain region flooded the river,
preventing tho Austrians bringing up
reinforcements, ammunition or food
On June %, the Austrian retreat be-
gan. In some places it became an
utter rout. They lost more than $4,000
prisoners.
After winning back their old lines
along the Piave. the Italians, British
and French began systematic local en-
in winning territory. ii.flicting casual
ties and acquiring prisoners. These
continue as this is written.
Propaganda Offensive. g.
The centra. powers biggest often
sive against Italy during the past
was the attack of the morale OF her
soldiers and civilians. It conceded
very nearly with the various "affairs"
in France. 1t was finally crushed and
defeated by the thoro exposure of
Germany's treachery after the mill
tary defeat.
The moral rebound which came to
Italy after the stemming of the Aus
tro-German rush on the Piave was
further strengthened by several other
factors. Probably the chief one
among them was the creation Of the
allied single front" Long before the
appointment of General Foch as SUI
preme commander on the western
fronts. the Italians were made to feel
the unity of allied interests when the
British and lrench expeditions took
up their positions on the new line of
defense. That was after the Italians,
| alone. had halted the enemy, and the
best appreciation of this feat is given
in the words of a high allied official,
who said:
''Italy's resistance on the line OF the
Piave will live among the most famous
deeds Of battles of all ages. II is not
too much TO say that the cause of the
alliance would have been severely