Evening star., 1918-06-25
austrian R0UT
SURPRISE T0FOE,
ROME CABLES SAY
Official Dispatches Report
Hun Forces Are in Full
Retreat.
LAST STROKE TO CRUSH
ITALY, MEN PROMISED
Believed Here Great Victory Has
Completely Upset German
Plan for Great Offensive.

Plan for Great Offensive.
An official dispatch from Rome to-
day says the Austrians are in full re-
treat, and that papers taken from
prisoners show Austria had not con-
templated the possibility of defeat and
was promising her soldiers this often
sive would be the last stroke to put
Italy out of the war.
A dispatch to the italian embassy
from Rome today confirmed the an
I nouncement yesterday that prisoners
taken by the Italians in the fighting
at the Piave numbered $4,000. This
| includes some twelve or fifteen thou
sand captured during the past week
before the Austrian offensive was
turned into a rout.
Foresee Readjustment.
Complete readjustment of the plans
of the German high command, in view
of the disaster which has overtaken
the armies Of Emperor Charles, is re-
garded as certain by observers here.
Upon the extent of the defeat, it was
said, will depend the course of events
in France.
While there was much speculation
as to the moves being made by Ger
many to save the armies of its ally
and to prevent a collapse of the Aus
tro-Hungarian government. already
menaced by critical food situation,
reports Of large troop movements
from the western to the Italian front
were accepted without surprise.
Effect of Move on the War.
Upon the extent of such a move
serves accumulated by Gen. Foch of
the allied supreme command may rest
the decision not only Of the present
campaign. but of the war. it was
pointed out.
The italian victory and the result
ing disorganization Of the enemy was
considered by some officials as the
great factor in the race for numerical
superiority on the western front. At
the rate American troops are now. be-
ing sent abroad, it was said, even a
slight diversion of the German forces
on the western front would allow the
allies to gain a superiority in man
power and with 1t the power to as
sumo the offensive.
Germany's entire offensive program
may have been upset, in the opinion
OF some officers here, by the crushing
defeat OF the Austrians along the
Piave river.
Regarded as Vital to Germany.
1t is regarded as vital from the
German point of view that the Italian
front may be made secure before Ger
man designs in France can be prose-
cuted to their fullest development.
While there is imminent danger that
the Austro-Hungarian government
may collapse. Germany cannot devote
herself wholly to the task she has
west before American man power can
swing the scales finally against her.
For this reason, both at the War
Department and in diplomatic circles,
| there was much speculation as to the
moves to support Austria already
taken by the German high command,
The German problem in rushing
troops to Italy is a difficult one Not
only will the withdrawal of men from
France weaken the whole offensive
enort there at a time when American
aid. the arrival of Italian divisions
and other measures are beginning to
| place at Gen. Foch's disposal enough
| reserves to enable him to strike hard
at any weakened point, but the trans
portation Of sufficient force to off,
set the Italian victory must neccesar.
| lily be slow.
Food Rioting in Austria Serious.
Meanwhile Official reports show the
| growing seriousness of the food riot
ing In Austria. The people apparently
| are in no condition to stand a great
| military reverse such as that they
must now face. Immediate German
actionlto support her ally seems abso-
ficials here. unless the back door to
Berlin itself Is to be left unguarded.
| There have been many signs re-
Gently that Gen. Foch was rapidly
getting into shape a strong re-
serve force. The employment Of the
served to release French shock troops
for rest and rehabilitation. There are
Indications. also. that the effect Of
British man power legislation is being
felt at the front. The divisions which
suffered severely in the German as
line for some time. The recent sue
cessful resistance OF the Italians nAar
Rheims was in positions formerly held
| by these British units.
Expect Hard Blows on West Front.
Some offlcials here. however, expect
the Germans to hit hard in France in
order to cover whatever other stems
they are compelled to take for the re-
lief Of Austria. Repeated blows along
the allied front, it is argued, would
tend to keep Gen. Foch from inaupu-
rating an interallied offensive in ItaIv
and might impede plans for a great
counter drive in France.
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