THE ITALIAN THEATRE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16252, 1 July 1918, Page 7

THE ITALIAN THEATRE.

THE PIAVE VICTORY. AUSTRIAN OFFENSIVE REVIEWED. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received June 30th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, June 29. Tho Italians in the present fighting have taken about 20,000 prisoners. As the enemy had 16 infantry and two cavalry divisions on tho right bank of the Piave, and seeing that tney had to sacrifice their rearguard in order to withdraw to the tight bank their losses are not excessive. Tho Austrians can rightly claim that they extricated themselves from a perilous position. The Italian prospects are very favourable, but the Austrians have been reinforced and are offering a strong resistance in the country, which is vory marshy, particularly when flooded. Tho Austrian troops proceeding from Budapest to the Balkans have been diverted to the Piave front. The Austrian offensive failed mainly hecauso they attacked on too broad a front and were therefore strong nowhere. The Austrians "believed that if they broke through anywhere they could get the Italian* on the flank, but the Austrians merely penetrated a short distance, afid were easily held up by tho Italian reserves.. Minor reasons for their non-success were their inferior artillery shooting and the low moral of many of their units, and also tho fact) that there was no element of surprise, for deserters disclosed the day and the hour of the attack.

In some respects the Austrian, methods were similar to Germany's, notably in the way they brought up their troops on the day preceding tho attack, and tho use of troops replacing those that initiated the attack. The offensive differed, however, from the German method of concentration of force on one point to break through.

The defeat will havo a serious effect on the Austrian moral. The actual military result is that Austria 6ufferedi heavy losses, and her offensive power for the time being is ended. It seems unlikely that she will renew tho offensive without help from Germany.

Italy is unable to exploit her victory, and the relative position of the combatants remains as before. Wo must not look for any gre,at counter-offensivo aa the situation offers peculiar difficulty to the Italians. An attack on the mountain front would have the advantage of protecting the Italian left flank, but an advance would be elow. An offensive on the Piave would be difficult and hazardous, while an advance eastward would increase the length of the line and render the left flank still more vulnerable.

The Italian strategic position throughout the war has been unfavourable. It was false strategy to have attempted an advance on the Isonzo until they secured their left flank. The Italian position has always left the Germans free to paralyse the Italian efforts by concentrating in the Trentino. •

. VANCOUVER, June. 23. The Italian Embassy at Washington, learns that Germany is demanding complete control or the Austrian armies, following the Piave defeat. AMERICAN TROOPS AURIVE. (Auntialian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received June 30th, 11 p.m.) WASHINGTON. June 29. It is officially announced that the first American troops have arrived 'n Italy. .