Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1918-10-16
FOCH TO DECIDE
ON ITALIAN DRIVE
Captain Bevione Explains Situa-
ton on the southern
Allied Front.
PRAISES AMERICAS EFFORTS.
Troops of His Fatherland Anxious to
Strike Deadly Blow at Heart Of
Austria, Their Tradl-
tionai Enemy.


cal Mission in this country, in an adj
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.
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 military and po-
lltical factor, forcing her to a separate
peace. The Western front staggers IN
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.
"kll Europe Is field OF battle. or
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 theoretically CO.
operated in the action in Macedonia.
guaranteeing the rout of the right wing
of the Germano- Bulgar line.
But above all, let us not forget that
If this great military event--the an
initiation Of Bulgaria-has been pos
sible, II 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
Sfrfo
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
Ast 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 a population of fifty
millions. Italy of thirty-fye; 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
gians, British, French and Italians, and
the splendid, powerful, daily increasing
American Army.
Anxious to Advance When Called.
italians are proud. and justifiably
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. II is for
this reason and not as complaint
against the judgment of the Supreme
Council at Versailles that I 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, Gen
eral Foch, for the Italian Army TO ad-
vance we know that then, and not un-
til then, will the absolutely necessary
aid be furnished our brave soldiers
Then will that advance be successful
and deadly blow at the heart of Italy's
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 its recent successes. These
| successes fill our hearts with Joy ant
pride as well as confidence in the wis
dom of that Council so far as the Ital
ian front is concerned
THE situation, then, requires tina
Italy for the present remain inactive
holding out only the menace of hel
offensive This Is sureiy no agreeabl,
part to play in this hour when all figh
| and win. The hearts u all our sol
| oilers are tense with the anxious wisl