The sun., 1918-05-02

fight side by side with tue Italians
against Austria. alread, has been sent
to tha front
LoNpoH. MAY Tine correspondent
OF TIE DAILY MAJ at Italian heldquar.
ters says Bohemian troops are joining
the FIRST detachments alreadv are on the
Italian fghtins line wearing The uni
forms OF the Italian soldiers.
Prague. the capital % bohemia. mas
been The scene oc riotouS demonsrra-
tious against Germany and the Ger
mans. President Wilson AID .hs En-
tente Ali'es have uten ,heered several
times and the crowds IN the same voice
hava denounced Count CzeTnin. the fur-
mer Austrollungarsn Foreign Minis
ter Opposition to what is asserted is
German rule ard influences has heen
voiced in Iarla men. hv the Ser 30. Cruft
and the SloNene delegations.
Since the beginning of n. vor the
t2echs, OF which family the Bohemisus
arc members, have shown strong dis
Ike 20 lighting IN behalf of Austria.
and IN line with The Austrian troops
They have deserted at every favorable
moment and AZ one time in the Russian
campaign agairst Austria il was found
Impossible to employ the Czech and
Bohemian troops. since they lefr their
own ranks and fled % The euVny at
every opportunity.
More recently IN Austria Hungary IN
the wild political conditions obtaining
there. the Slavs and CGechs have been
openly against the Government. their
leaders, asserting that there IS no op-
portunlty for tnen TO gain represer.a-
lion. They also have been active IN
stirring up strikes and strife IN the
country. The great strike OF last vim
ter in Austria Hungary. in which hun
dreds of thousands laid down their tools
resulted from thn efforts OF tho Slays
and czechs
Following thai Ike there were fre-
Quent reports that there would be fur
her disorders. but the censorship kept
hese from the outside world. although
at times there were pieces OF news that
the worEmen in Austr.a-Hungary agaiA
were quitting the muntion factories as
n protest against the Government, More
recently report was spread that there
would he "A general May Day the Eu-
ropean Labor DaN) cessation or work in
the country of Emperor Charles. The
',ocking OF the bohemian troops 30 the
side OF the Italians may have been a
part of the organized Nav demons.ra-
ton.
In view OF the recent assertions that
the Offensive would be resumed against
Italy the desertions have a peculiar
significance, In the last few weeks there
have been stories emanating from the
Central Empires that the offensive has
been delayed. various reasons being aS-
signed The deseftlons or the Bohemian
| and Czech troops may have beer in
progress during this time and 10 have
caused the military commanders Of the
.Austro-German armies to alter their
plans In view OF the serious inroads into
their forces and the probabilities Of fur
ther desertions II their offensive were
| carried out as originally planned.
It Is worthy OF note in connection
with the official statement from Austro-
| Hungarian headquarters Tuesday re-
| porting Increased activity on the Italian
front that German papers recently have
been referring TO supposed impending
revival Of the Austrian offensive against
Italy on a grand scale,
The comments have read at times as
| II they were intended TO exert pressure
ow Austria-Hunsary TO begin an attack.
Cor which the Germans are eager as a
! diversion on the extreme flank OF the
Entente front.