New-York tribune., 1918-06-30
First Troops
From America
Land in Italy
Continued from page 1

Continued from page 1
Channel ports and Paris, and to hold
the rest of the line with reasonable
force of good troops, and still have
some reserves for an emergency, it will
be possible to look at the future with
confidence.
1t is, perhaps, too much to hope that
that situation now exists. Although it
is fair to assume that an approach to
it has been made, from General
March's characterization of the posi-
tion of the Allies as extremely favor
able.
Nothing has been disclosed with re-
gard to what has been done by Eng
land and France to add to the man
power on the front, but neither coun-
try had dug as deeply into its supply
of men as Germany did to make her
present great efforts. England had not
combed out her industries for men that
might be spared. France had not called
as young men into service as had Ger
many.
"The Italian line," said General
March, "has been the object of great
est interest to military men. The Ital-
ian pressure has practically restored
the line to where it was held before
the advance began on the Piave, and
in two places it has been slightly ad-
vanced. The Italians have crossed to
the north bank Of the Piave at one
place, and down toward the sea the
old line which has been held by the
Austrians and Italians for many
months has now been pushed back by
Piave River, down in the swampy re-
gions near the seacoast. The line is
practically the same as before the big
drive was begun by the Austrians.
Taken as military proposition, the
attack Of the Austrians is considered
faulty because they spread their at
tack over such large front that it was
impossible to carry it through. The
actual front from the mountains down
is 200 miles long, and there were not
large enough forces at all points neces-
sary to carry through such a drive.
"The Austrian disaster which ensued
is extremely valuable not only in the
military sense, but the psychological
spres Italy with the consciousness that
their forces can be used to distinct ad-
vantage, and the practical result in
prisoners, guns and material captured
is, of course, extremely valuable. The
reports which we get of the Austrians
captured by the Italians is $4,000.
yesterday the first American troops
landed in Italy. do not refer by this
to the force which General Pershing
is sending from the American expedi-
tlonary force, but to force which has
been on the high seas for some little
time, and which now has landed.
During the week the activities in
the American sectors in France, as
muniques from day to day, have been
local in character, the Americans at
all times and in all places more than
holding their own. Fine examples of
individual valor are now coming in,
and with the policy which has been
adopted of allowing the mention of the
gallant conduct of all, our people un-
derstand that the rank and file are
doing splendidly all along the line.
General Pershing has now had
turned back to him five divisions of
American troops who have been train
ing with the British, and / mention
sA'oe oPcSilCoEIy because IL SHOWS tho
value of the policy which was adopted
OF using all the training areas possible
along the entire front.
"The vast increase of men being sent
across are trained, as you see, in three
cirerent ways, the great mass being
trained with our own forces, but the
utilization of facilities already in ex-
lstence back of the British line by our
people, and, in addition, the French ia
cilities, allows us to give that final
polishing very much more rapidly than
in any other way.
The two attacks which were made
Yesterday appeared in the morning
papers-one near Hazebrouck, on the
British front, and the other in the
valley OF the Aisne. The official account
mas not been received by me yet-pos-
slbly it is on the way-and so will
not not comment upon them until | get
1ne exact account of what occurred.
Iaklng the entire front, we can saw
me me situation is extremely favorable to
The troops sent abroad to Italv-
which fact has not been given out here
tofore because they were on the high
seas-are largely sanitary units. The
expedition had with it some other snes
cla! units. but the character Of the er.
Pedlt'on was more of the non-comhat-
ant variety. Combatant troops will ha
sent by General Pershing."