Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-05-12
Austrian Failure.
to Strike Enemy

to Strike Enemy. STRIFE IN ar n,% rs, 70
ian front when blows would do the
maximum amount of good for the gen.
eral cause of the Quadruple alliance. At
no time during the war have Austria
and Germany been unable to co-ordi-
nate their endeavor. Always when unity
Of action has been necessary to achieve
military purposes this unity has been
made manifest. But under present con-
| ditions the Austrian army Is as one
palsied. though recovery under the
sharp prodding of Berlin may be ex-
pected in the immediate future, unless
governmental and economic conditions
/ in the dual monarchy become So un-
| bearable that the unrest of the people
will absolutely preclude action on the
| Italian front.
| 1t would be greatly to Germany's adj
| vantage to have the Austrians move
| forward at the present juncture. Sue
| cess for Teutonic arms Is absolutely
necessary, even though this success be
scored in what are deemed by linden
burg and Ludendorn less important
arenas. 1t is believed by Teutonic COM
manders that should the Austrians ini-
! tiate sustained offensive movements in
! Italy there is no question that the strain
| on Teutonic arms on the western front
will be lessened materially Even
| though 1T might not be necessary for
the allies to move large Continents
from the west to the Italian mountain
| front, the German commanders I'M
| doubtedly figure a successful Austrian
drive would prove such a danger that
| the allies in a measure would be dis
tracted from their tasks in the west
| The Germans never figure that the
| Austrian offensive against the Italians
| Will fail In its purpose. This Is not in
| the conceited German scheme of things,
| for German arms have been SO success
! ful against weaker nations the convic-
ton that Teutonic forces cannot be
beaten by anybody Is generally held in
| German military circles. even though
| the people may show some doubts as to
| eventual success in the present strug-
| gle.
the week that Emperor Charles, his
chief of staff. Austrian military advisers
and German officers had gone to the
| Italian front. 1t was expected the Aus
| trian drive Immediately would be ush-
cred in. This was not the case, though
| Vienna maintained for a period Of two
| or three days that actual heavy fighting
was going on. The Rome official re-
| ports gave the lie to such claims. The
real purpose behind the Austrian an
nouncements remains a puzzle, unless
| they were intended to divert the people
from issues behind the lines.
The Italian armies are united and
! filled with confidence that they will be
/ able to breast any Teutonic tide that
sweeps over the mountain against them
| Italian assurance in the eventual result
! is heightened by the presence of some
, 81. 600 Czechs, Slovacs and Croatians in
| the ranks of Italian armies. many thou
sand Of these men having once fought
under Austrian colors in the present
| war. When it Is generally known in
| Austrian armies, which are composed
! largely of Slavic nationalities. that their
racial brothers are fighting with the
| Italians undoubtedly 1t will 20 far to-
ward weakening the striking power Of
Austrian forces. This cannot be ques-
toned In yiew-of the decided unrest