Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1918-11-15
ITALY PLAYED A GREAT
PART IN THE WORLD WAR
by r.. e. Jones)

The fall of Austria-what q tri-
umph! From the point Of view of
Italy's victory the story is all the
more miraculous. The congratula-
tions showered upon Count " Mac
chi di Cellere. Italy's democratic
ambassador. were many and real.
The italian Embassy has become the
center Of about the liveliest interest
in Washington, and there are mo-
dieations that there were times in the
past when Italy's contributions to the
allied cause were not accorded as
great appreciation an now. Now that
the arms of our gallant Southern al
ly have been crowned with victory
and her great General Diaz has re-
eeived the surrender OF the AustrianI
forces, we are paying a deserved-i9|
somewhat belated-tribute to the
sacrifices, courage and withal, mag
nificent prowess in the arts of war.
Though prosperous when the war
broke out Italy had the smallest pop
ulation and the most limited resourc-
es. Her manufactures were expand
ing. Her army was not well equip
ped. The country was short OF min
eral resources, especially coal and
iron. Despite these limitations Italy
has occupied a place of first import
ance in the struggle from the very
outset. Even before she entered the
war her declaration OF neutrality
permitted the withdrawal of French
troops from the Italian border. and
thus contributed to the strength Of
the French. and helped to make pos
sible the first battle Of the Marine.
Italy's Sacrifices.
Italy has called to the colors not
less than 5,5O0,00O men, and has suf-
fered the loss OF almost 1900, 200 OF
them. or that loss nearly $50, 200
died in battle, and Zoe, 900 from dis
ease Over $4,000 are totally in.
canaciated, either by blindness. loss
Of limb or tuberculosis. At the pres
ent moment the strength OF the Ital-
ian army is 4,O25. 900. including the
class Of men born In 1900, who have
been called to the colors recently. II
may be said, then, that the nations
man-power has suffered a permanent
loss OF nearly q million. Serious as
g this loss, Italy has inflicted an even
greater punishment upon the foe. In
Austrian prisoners alone she has TAX
on 174,3S5, OF whom 1889 are OIL
GERS The Austrian loss in killed and
wounded is. Of course, unknown to
us; but oven the most conservative
estimates make 1t far greater than
ours. In the last offensive on the Pr
ave alone over 200, 900 Austrian dead
were left on the field It Is a piece
Of well-merited good fortune that It.
ally has been able to strike one OF the
most spectacular decisive blows of che
war. The debacle OF the Austriana
capped one Of the climaxes of the
war. The surrender of the Austri.
ans to General Diaz ON the battlefield
carried with 1t an even greater sug.
restion Of a complete defeat than the
request of the other Hun allies for
an armistice. Even going back fur,
Their than this, we are reminded by 8
military reviewer that the retreat Of
the Germans on the western from
really began with the retreat of IA,
Austrians behind the Piave befor,
the bayonets of the intrepid Italians
Overcame Serious Difficulties.
Let us not forget that out Of s6,
100000 inhabitants OF Italy at IN
beginning of the war only II 900. 0Ol
were males. of whom 10000 wer
adults economically productive. Ate
the army was modified only 10
adults remained In each town or vi
lage to provide for some $40 childrel
below the age Of 15. Francis II
sisson, Vice President OF the Guaran
ty Trust Company of New York point
out that the pre-eminence Of Italy 4
the production OF certain articles Q
commerce made her one chief sourc
Of supply for similar products Of
, war-like nature. The Italian automc
bile. aeroplane, turbine and heav
oil engines became prominent factor
in supplying the allied armies Wit
these war necessities at critical per
J. DDS. In an admirable editorial III
New York Evening Sun puts the sitr