Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-05-10
]TAFY DUPLICATING
NUMBER Of TROOPS
U.S.PUTS IN FRANCE
Word Comes to Washington of
Exodus of Soldiers Similar.
to That From America.
ITALIANS OF THIS COUNTRY
MAY FIGHT AT HOME
Several Thousand Of Those Serving
Under Stars and Stripes to
Join Native Ranks.

SV4A AsotAvS AsOAAAASs
Upon the heels of the announce
1nent by Secretary Baker that the
United States now has 100000
fighting men in France, the news
came to Washington today,
through reliable channels, that
Italy already has nearly that
number on French soil and that
her program calls for duplica-
ton in numbers of all men the
United States sends abroad.
In other words. by the time the
United States has million men behind
the western front Italy will have a like
number. Thus Gen. Foch will have
added to his army reserve two million
men, minus those he places on the ac-
tual fighting front. but plus the Brit
ish and French who have been held
back from the severe military opera
tions of the past month.
: 1t also became known today that
there is a strong probability Of at least
several thousand American troops be-
ing sent to the Italian front. These
may include men of Italian descent or
birth who now are serving under the
Stars and Stripes.
Effect on Austria.
German reports twice have noted that
Americans already are on the Italian
;e, g.
tised this fact for its effect on the Aus
TRANS knowledge that America has en-
tered fighting against Austria, according
to German calculation, would be to cement
the dual empire more strongly with Ger
many and discourage ideas Of separate
peace which. though futile from the Amer
ican standpoint have been a factor in
weakening Austrian morale.
The units referred to by the Ger
mans are those Of the Medical Corps.
and perhaps a few aviators. The Ital-
fans. It is. known here. have urged at
the military councils of the allies that
American troops be sent to Italy. not
that the man power Of Italy needs
ence Of Americans would put the
clinching blow to the already discount
ed German propaganda among italian
civilians that the United States was
ssce-Lorraine to France. but was in
different to Italian aspirations.
Blow Expected by Italians.
Dispatch Of Italian troops to France
has not been permitted to interfere
with the heavy mobilization along the
Austrian front. where blow is expect
ed by the Italians. In fact. the Italian
position there is considered much
stronger today than in the fall Of 1917.
despite the fact that just before the
Caparetti disaster the Italians had been
pushing forward with steady success.
In two speeches made by Premier Or
when Italy would be ready to recon
quer the territory she lost last fall. and
in an address of Minister Nitti. which
said that the Italian forces on the Aus
trian front were stronger than ever
before there was a hint of an Italian
Offensive. But it was pointed out that
would rest with Gen. Foch who now is
in command of the italian forces, as
he Is OF the British and the French. and
the Italians are conducting their mill
tary operations entirely along the uni
ded plan dictated by him.
or marked interest in Washington to-
day were the reports that the Austrians,
on top Of their offer of Bosnia and Her
Gozovina to Hungary, have further held
OUT the bait of Incorporating Croatia and
Dalmatia as part Of the Hungarian
kingdom.
News Considered Significant.
This news was considered significant be-
cause it bespeaks Austria's determina-
ton to placate Hungary, to try to offset
her growing ambition to dominate the Aus
tro-Hungarian empire and a secondary
effect would be to seek to drive wedge
tn the growing Jugo Slav or pan-Serbian
movement.
The success of that movement would
entail the inclusion of these provinces
in the proposed Jugoslav state
Austria's concessions to Hungary are
Interpreted as showing the CROWN q
power OF Hungary to demand what she
wants OF Austria. and one of the prin-
eipal weapons she is using is the with
holding of the food which she has and
which Austria so sorely needs.
Austria, under German dictation also
is believed to be using every means Of
breaking the strength of the JuRo-
Slav movement. which became more
dangerous to pan-German ambitions
when the conference at Rome brought
about an understanding between ItaIy
and the Jugo-Slav leaders. The terms
OF this agreement have never been
rseaecI1ina sae IPTnlic ~, put -, 1t was factor in
which already has shown its effect.
Should Not Indicate Split.
"ough the increasing tendency of
Hungary to assert herself is highly
Significant. 1t was explained today by
an allied diplomat 1t should not be
construed into a false hope Of a split
between Austria and Hungary so long
es the central powers are in a good
military position.
Hungary's ambition, at present. is
for domination Of Austria in the dual
empire and not for a break either with
Austria or with Germany. 1t is held
that the agitation to the latter END
comes from the iHungarians outside of
Hungary. 1t was pointed out that the
Aagyars in Hungary. who are strong in
their efforts toward Hungarian as
tendency. still incline to Germany for
economic reasons.
The economic question involved is
that Of redistribution of land. For
the ruling classes in Hungary still have
extensive land holdings which they would
dislike to see broken up by democratic
influences. SO they tend to favor the
feydal ideals Of Germany
Hence Italian statesmen have held
strongly to the belief that only in the
event of q decisive allied military sue.
cess would Hungary be driven to a break
with Austria or negotiations upon 2
EeaSenaole basis with tha allieA
q.