Evening star., 1918-06-19
Announcement of Arrival of
Americans Expected
Here Shortly. ,
EFFECT ON AUSTRIANS'
MORALE ANTICIPATED
Will Offset Propaganda That Our
Help Would Not
Be Sent.

Announcement of the arrival of the
American troops in Italy is expected
at any time. No official word about
their entry into the new field is ex-
pected until they actually get there.
A principal reason for sending
American troops to Italy, it was learn
ed today, in addition to the effect on
the morale of the Italian soldiers, is
the disheartening effect they will have
on the Austrians, who have been assid-
uously trained to believe that the
United States would extend no help to
Italy.
Extensive propaganda of this sort
has been circulated in Austria and
specimens Of it have been submitted
to officials Of this government as evil
dence that the early participation of
American troops on the Italian front
would be a most effective factor in
checking the Austrian offensive.
Will Hearten Italians.
Italians will be heartened. Of course,
when the Americans arrive, but they
already have had the announcement
Of their coming. When they see the
first American fighting men it will
serve to emphasize the professions
Of entire friendliness and co-opera-
ton expressed by President Wilson
in his message on the anniversary of
Italy's entrance into the war.
But there is every reason to be-
lieve, Italians in Washington think.
that Austriaps will receive a severe
surprise and jolt when they find
themselves confronted by augment
into Italy.
The number of Americans that can
be spared from the western front
probably will be determined, in part
at least, by Gen. Foch. and the des-
ignation Of the units to go is under
stood to be in the hands OF Gen. Per-
shing.
Dispatches received here from Rome
indicate enormous Austrian losses, and
express high confidence and satisfac-
ton with the showing made SO far by
the defensive. Military observers re-
gard Montello as the principal danger
point of the present operations, and
consider that the Italian troops must
hold that section in order to keep the
entire line firm.
It was explained that the Importance
Of the Montello section arises from
the fact that it is a hill region, paral-
lei to the Piave, which commands the
country for twenty miles back.
Therefore it is believed that Italian
reserves back of that point will be
used to the limit to defend 1t. and
that severe fighting may develop in
that sector.
Considerably less Importance is at
tached to the fighting In the Capo Sile
region. That is a marshy country
which, II entered by the Austrians,
affords opportunity for Italian coun-
ter attack which might easily lead to
disaster for the invaders. +
5 to 1, Austrian Losses.
Though no exact figures are given
in reports Of the losses it is believed
that the Austrian casualties have
been heavier by five to one. In the
fghting in the mountain regiona
where the Austrians were repulsed
with terrible slaughter, the ratio is
much higher. Little credence is given
by Italians IN Washington to Aus
trian claims of 10000 prisoners.
Necessarily there were prisoners
taken at places where the Austrians
advanced several miles, because such
advances cut of detachments, which
were taken. But In the offensive last
fall. 1t was recalled. the Austrian
claims were uniformly exaggerated.
the Austrians claimed the capture Of
TTs0n ~ fsod IN coCc,,9 D. -- + -