New-York tribune., 1918-07-01
Revelations by Wekerle
Cause Uproar in Austro-
Hungarian Parliament
Asserts Only 10000
Were Made Prisoners
Washing Away of Bridges
Blamed for Lack of
Food for Army

AMSTERDAM. June 30.-pr. Alexan-
dcy Wekerle. the Hungarian Premier,
caused sensation in Parliament Sat
urday with declaration regarding the
Austro- Hungarian losses in the last
Italian offensive, according to Buda-
most dispatch received mere to-day.
The Premier said that during the
last few days exciting rumors had been
circulated regarding the losses. These
rumors. he said. were much eXagger-
sted. The Austro-Hungarian armies
we're withdrawn on the Piave front to
snare lives, he asserted. since they must
have, suffered very great losses had
they held that line.
but how great are our losses !' IN
terrupted Deputy Zlnsky.
"The number of prisoners taken was
recently stated to be 1S,OoO,' the Prem
ier replied. "I must. however. correct
that statement. The truth is that the
italians have taken 10000 and $4,000
Italians fell into our hands. In the
case of su offensive and a retreat this
figure cannot be termed excessively
high.
Losses Total 100000
"Much sadder is the loss we suffered
in dead, wounded and sick mostly
sick. In the tenth and eleventh Ital-
ian offensives we lost $4,000 to 100000
men. And now our losses arc similar
'-sbout 100000 men,"
Great excitement in the Chamber
marked this declaration. The Premier
continued:
"I am obliged to record this regret
table circumstance.
at is true that Of three bridges
thrown across the Piavc the uppermost
unfortunately collapsed. and then both
of the others were carried away with
it. This figure includes the fallen, the
slightly wounded and those brought
back as ineffectives."
A great uproar interrupted the Prem
Ter and there were cries of "They
were all Hungarians." When quiet was
restored Premier Wekerle went on:
"I mention these figures in order to
describe the situation with perfect sin
cerity. Also because our enemies will
certainly portray these losses in an eX
aggerated fashion and perhaps also our
public opinion.
Lack of Food
There was also rumors circulating
that on this occasion Hungarian troops
were called upon in excessively large
numbers and that the losses fell upon
them only. Therefore must point out
that thirty-three Hungarian and thirty
seven Austrian regiments participated
in the entire offensive and retreat, or
II per cent Hungarian and SO Austrian.
IN the entire advance and retreat
the Italian losses amounted to 100000,
far surprising our losses in dead,
wounded and sick.
"a report is also being circulated
that our losses were due to a lack of
ammunition" A Deputy shouted, Lack
OF food" To which the Premier replied
declaring that "our army never was so
we'll provided with ammunition as dur
ing the middle of June.
ut is true" the Premier added, chat
when the bridges thrown across the
Piave were carried away, unsurmount-
able difficulties arose in bringing up
provisions during the sensational re-
treat.
Deductions Drawn
"This was followed according to the
regular plan, and only few troops
wha remained behind to cover the re-
treat fell into Italian hands. The en-
tire retreat was carried out in such an
orderly and unobserved manner that
the Italians continued their attacks on
our former positions.
| draw deductions from the whole, it
is not to be doubted that we inflicted
important losses. on the Italians and
prevented them from sending consid
cradle part of their troops to the West.
ern front, which in the interest of the
common conduct of the war is undoubt-
edly the objective which it was our
duty to attain. This aim, too, we at
tanned"