The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-19
WELCOME TO DIAz
Commander of Italian Army
Given Tremendous Greeting.
Military Leader Tells of Heroic
Work of His Men.
TO ATTEND LEGION MEETING
New YOrk's Little Italy HOnOrs
It's Own Hero.
DestrOyers and SeapIanes Meet
Giuseppe Verdi in HarbOr.
70 ATTEND LEGION MEETING

New York, Oct. 19-New York
arose bright and early today to give
a thunderous welcome to General Ar
mando Diaz Italy's man OF destiny.
Destroyers and seaplanes journeyed
down the harbor to greet the Giuseppe
Verdi bringing to these shores the
man who commanded the armies of
Italy during the world war and who
has come to join his American buddies
at their legion convention at Kansas
City. Army and navy might pay their
salute with roaring guns, but New
York's little Italy insisted on greeting
it's hero in it's own way. Down to
Battery Park tramped the swarthy
sons of that boot-shaped peninsula
ranean. On the top of Manhattan
Island, they took their stand, facing
the Statue of Liberty to shout their
"bravos" when their idol stepped
ashore.
Greetings to General.
But while the bulk of the welcom-
ing army Held it's position at the bat
terry, the vanguard embarked on a
municipal ferry to founder down the
bay in' the wake of the swift de> troy
ers to bear greetings to the general
even before he set foot on the new
world.
Italy's picturesque military leader
genius during his cOuntry's darkest
hour after the Caporetto disaster on
the Isonzo front in October, 1917, in
which 2OO,0 900 Italian soldiers and 700
guns were captured by the Austro
Germans.
While the world expected ItaIy's
collapse, after this staggering defeat,
General Diaz, appointed the following
month commander-in-ch chief to sue
ceed General Cado rna, struck back
blow after blow and with British and
French aid. drove the invaders back.
Morale Was Recovered.
Under the leadership of General
Diaz the tOttering morale of the Italian
army speedily recovered. A new
fighting spirit was aroused and filled
with fresh ardor for victory, his SOL
diers prepared confidently to check
the enemy advance across the Piaye
river. AS Diaz had planned, the Aus
trian tids was stemmed.
For year, while a stalemate- on the
battle front existed, General Diaz re-
habilitated and rejuvenated his
armies. In October, 1918, he smashed
the Austrian front, drove a wedge in
the Austrian line and fought the foe
with losses of thousands of their men
and quantities of artillery. The Aus
trians sued for peace a week after the
Italian offensive began. An armistice
was signed and Diaz had redeemed
Italia 1rridenta- His triumphal entry
into Trieste was the climax of the
campaign.
Born in Naples.
General Diaz was born in Naples
sixty years ago. He was a student of
war from his childhood, his foreb ears
having fought in the Napoleonic wars.
His courage under fire was an inspira-
ton to his men and his tireless energy
in critical times when decentralization
threatened their fighting efficiency,
served to hearten them.
High honors were conferred on the
general by his country and he was
decorated by King Albert of Belgium.
The inhabitants of Venice in gratitude
for the saving of their beautiful city
presented the warrior with a golden
sword.