New-York tribune., 1918-06-20
The Fate of Venice
By Frank II. Simonds
0ONTEMPORARY battles, the Issue
q of which is the fate of nations,
are followed with such intense IN

~ n
are followed with such intense IN
terest by world whose attention is
fixed upon the larger issue that their
minor consequences are only tardlly rec
ognized. Thus, while everybody per-
ccives that the collapse of Italian re-
sistance might have meant the elimina-
tion of Italy from the war, there is less
general perception that a comparatively
minor Austrian success-a success Tar
less than that Of the Germans in Picardy,
in Champagne or even in Flanders
would settle the fate of Venice.
The success of the Italians, with their
British and French supports, in holding
the mountain line from the Piave to the
Adige, in maintaining their positions
upon the Asago Plateau and upon the
Monte Grappa group, seems to have re-
moved the possibility Of a sweeping
Austrian victory. Fully warned, fully
prepared it would seem that the troops
holding the advantageous positions in
the mountains would not now suffer such
a defeat as the Italians met at Caporetto
last year. And while the mountain sector
holds, the way of retreat is open to the
Italians in the plain.
Not only is the line Of retreat open,
but there are a number of intermediate
positions between the Piavc and the
Adige, which have doubtless been pre-
pared against such an attack as is now
beginning. No sudden sweep forward
such as took place after Caporetto is
conceivable while the mountain positions
hold. A slow and orderly retirement I'M
der pressure and artillery bombardment
remains possible-such a retirement as
took place in the French lines between
Montdidier and Noyon in the last Ger
man attack. But such retirement
would not mean disorganization Of,
Italian defence or any great military re-
verse. 1t might mean exacting huge
casualties from the Austrians in return
for slight territorial sacrifices, as before
Paris recently.
On the other hand, while the Italians
might stand behind the Brenta or the
Astico, retirement behind either stream
would mean the surrender of Venice.
For the defence of the Adriatic town
the Italians are substantially in their
last line. At the present moment Aus
trian heavy artillery is almost within
range of Venice, and any considerable
advance on firm ground north of the
marshes between the Sile and the Piavc
would enable Austrian artillery to ac-
complish in the City of the Doges what
German artillery has achieved at Rheims.
The fate Of Venice would thus be sealed,
and only an evacuation could conceiv-
ably save the city from destruction.
Having pointed out the immediate
peril to Venice, it is necessary to recog-
nize that so far the Austrians have made
very little progress toward the positions
commanding Venice. Their gains about
Montello, at the north end of the plain,
while these may have considerable
strategic value in the future, have not
placed them in complete control of this
important ridge, and the latest news
which comes from Rome indicates that
the Italians are counter attacking and
still hold portion of this high ground.
The Austrian gains further to the south
in the marshes, while they bring the
enemy appreciably closer to Venice. have
been made in low ground unsuitable for
the use Of heavy artillery.
In sum, Italian resistance seems to he
Strengthening rather than weakening.
and there is no occasion as vet to qualify
the statement of yesterday that the Aus
trian offensive has met with severe
check; which is growing rather than
lessenirg. In view of the number of
Austrian troops engaged-not less than
million-the menace remains prave
but Austrian morale must inevitably de-
cline in the face of colossal losses and
infnitesimal gains
Equally satisfactory from the Allied
standpoint is the success of the French
at Rheims. The German attack here
must not be confused with the earlier
and more general efforts in Champagne,
IN Plcardy, in Flanders and more re-
Gently toward Paris. The Rheims OPERA
tlon was "a considerable local attack IN
achieve strictly limited objective, name
ly' the city and the high ground back of
1T. While this high ground remains in
french hands, the rear and flank of the
Germans between the Aisne and tho
Marne are gravely threatened. If the
Germans could succeed in breaking dow,,
TINS relatively narrow salient thrust in
their rear and force the French back to
the line of the Marne, from Epernav
westward, their position would be greatly
improved and their next move toward
Paris made much easier.
10 accomplish this end the Germans
seem to have enraood +L. 1T.