The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1918-10-17
FOCH TO DECIDE
ON ITALIAN DRIVE
Captain Bevione Explains Situa-
ton on the Southern
Allied Front.
PRAISES AMERICAS EFFORTS.
Troops of His FatherIand Anxious to
Strike Deadly Blow at Heart Of
Austria, Their Tradi-
tional Enemy.

NlOne, CnleI OIL lIe 1tdlidH AeIoudutI-
cal Mission in this country, in an ad-
dress at luncheon in his honor given
by the Italy America Society paid a
high compliment to the effectiveness
of Americas participation in the war.
He also expressed the hope, when
troops are sent by the Allied high COM
mand to give Italy the numerical SUI
premacy, which she must have in or
der to strike deadly blow at the heart.
of her traditional enemy, that those
troops would be Americans.
Captain Bevione voiced the general
feeling of optimism among the Allies.
as follows:
I'VE have absolute faith that the
hour of final liberation is about to
strike for our brothers and for all
those races oppressed by Austrian rule.
This faith comes not from our hearts
alone, but also from our reason.
American Troops Big Factor.
1.-The British troops in Palestine"
said Captain Bevione, "have crushed
the military power of Turkey. The.
united efforts of the interallied army
of Macedonia have driven Bulgaria
from the scene as a military and po-
litical factor, forcing her to separate
peace. The Western front staggers un-'
der the formidable blows hurled at the
German army, which the stupendous
assistance of the forces of the United,
States makes possible; the Belgian the
British, the French, but, chief among
all, your warriors, with heroic dash
take part in the tremendous battle
which has no precedent in history.
"All Europe is field of battle. OF
Italy alone one hears nothing. In Italy
alone there is no fighting. Austria
alone at this moment so fateful for
the alliance of oppression and crime,
is left to herself.
Italy co-operates In Macedonia.
First of all, let us remember that
the Italian army has energetically CO.
operated in the action in Macedonia,
guaranteeing the roIt of the right wing
of the -Rugar line.
But, above all, let US not forget that
if this great military event-the an
initiation of Bulgaria-has been pos
sible, 1t is due not alone to the fact
that the German army was held back
in France by interallied effort, but was
held inactive on our front by the fear
of an Italian offensive. Had Luden-
dorf felt himself free from this mortal
menace. he would have drawn off from
the Austrian front as many divisions
as were necessary to support Bulgaria
in her crisis and prevent her capitula-
ton.
But that is not enough. There are.
in fact, other considerations which
must be taken into account. Italy
fights single handed against Austria.
Austria up to today at least, is no
longer under any anxiety as to the de-
Tense of her frontiers from Russia,
from Roumania and from Servia.
austria has population of fifty
millions, Italy of thirty-tive; Austria
has modified about ninety divisions,
Italy less than sixty; Italy has in line
fifty-four divisions, Austria sixty
seven.
'In France there are fighting Bel
CLANS, British, French and Italians, and
the splendid, powerful, daily increasing
American Army.
Anxious to Advance When Called.
italians are proud, and iustifiably
so, of their contributions to the sue
cesseS of the Allies. We are proud OF
Americas opinion of us and of our
achievements in the war. We want
nothing, now that ultimate success is
so near. to dull the luster of that good
American opinion of Italy. 1t is for
this reason and not as a complaint
against the judgment of the Supreme
Council at Versailles that l wish to let
the American public know the real sit
uation on the Italian front and the
reason for the apparent inactivity there
when all the other Allied battle fronts
are glowing with the brilliant white
heat of victorious advances.
"When the time comes in the judg-
ment of that brilliant strategist, Cen
eral Foch, for the Italian Army to ad-
vance we know that then, and not I'M
til then, will the absolutely necessary
aid be furnished our brave soldiers.
Then will that advance be a successful
and deadly blow at the heart Of 1talys
traditional enemy-a blow which we
long to strike with a yearning that
passes all understanding.
1--WE believe that the judgments and
the action of the Supreme Command
at Versailles, together with the mar
velous cooperation of the United
States, have secured to the Allied
cause all it's recent successes. These
successes fill our hearts with joy and
pride as well as confidence in the wis
dom of that Council SO far as the 1tal-
ian front is concerned.
"The situation, then, requires that
Italy for the present remain inactive,
holding out only the menace of her
offensive. This is surely no agreeable
part to play in this hour when all fight
and win. The hearts of all our sol
diers are tense with the anxious wish
to vie with their heroic brothers in
arms of the Allied armies. But war
spells self-denial and sacrifices. To-
day this share is ours, and we bear 1t
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