PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3179, 1 September 1917, Page 6

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

All reports agree that the Italians have good prospects of further developing their victorious offensive beyond the Isonzo. An official correspondent, in a reviewof the situation, declares that the victory is still unfinished, and it is even more interesting that General Cadorna is quoted as saying: "Our imminent decisive success means the turning . point of the war.", Whether the • Italian Commander-in-Chief used the actual words attributed to him, or used them without, a concealed purpose, may be in some degree open to 'doubt. Very probably he is deliberately intent upon attracting all possible Austrian reserves to the Italian front in order to relievo pressure on Russia and Rumania it the present stage the offensive is serving in this way a valuable secondary purpose, and the tone ol General Cadorna's statement. may have been influenced by his desire to increase the enemy's apprehensions and compel him to concentrate upon a purely defensive policy. At the same time, and while it cannot be Hooked that the Ita ian offensive represents a valuable diversion on behalf of Russia and Rumania, it is noUt all unlikely that the Italians nre actually on the brink of an even bigger success than they have already won. .■ # . w One general consideration bearing on the position is that although the \ustrians havo an advantage in defending a tract of ' exceedingly difficult mountain country,' the deep penetration of their ' defences of necessity imposes a heavy additional strain upon their resources in reorganising their communications and defensive lines. Over a considerable part of the fighting area east of the Isonzo their only available communications are by way of steep hilly roads and tracks, and tho problems thus entailed arc heavily intensified as a result of the recent Italian advance. At a general view it is to be expected that as timo .goes on tho superior strength, resources, and fighting power of the Italians will tcK with increasing effect, but, there are also particular grounds for anticipating an early extension of their victorious advance. In their recent attacks they have mastered a wide extent of high country north _ and cast of Gorizia, and have visible prospects of developing their success to the point of outflanking the defences of the-Carso Plateau and opening the road to Trieste. Some informative comments upon Hie topography of the region m which they are advancing and upon _ the strategic possibilities of the situation were made recently by the military contributor of the ForlnighU'j Review. "Trieste (he wrote) is approached by two mam roads, one of which follows iho coast line, while the other, starting from Gorizia, goes up the valley of the Vippaco, which is a. tributary of tho Isonzo, and reaches Trieste from the north. Between these two roads is tho Carso rlalcau, a rugged elevated plain, intersected with numerous depressions' and defiles, which lend themselves to* defensive operations. This plateau is some ten to twelve miles broad and interposes a formidable obstacle between tho southern road along the coast., and the northern road from Gorizia to Iricste. lhe coast road is commanded along its whole length from, the southern Slopes of the Carso cliffs, and mprogress can be made along it till Ibe'hcignts which overlook it have been conquered. . •. . North of' Gorizia, and extending nearly up to Tolmino on the left bank of. tho Isonzo, is the Bainsizza Plateau, an , elevated plain which flanks the Car-

so, and mi?st be conquered by the Italians before their troops can advance along the northern road .to Trieste. While the Carso is the key to Trieste, the Bainsizza Plateau, with the Monte San-Gabriello massif north of Gorizia, is the key to the Claim It will.bo scon from the above geographical considerations that before Italian troops can enter Trieste, riot only the;Carso Plateau, but the whole of the strongly-forti-fied positions north and cast of Gorizia, must bo captured, and this is the task confronting General Cadorna. ..."

According to the latest available reports the Italians have conquered, the Bainsizza Plateau, and although a German report which stated yesterday that the Austrians were evacuating Monte San Gabriello is not yet confirmed this important key position is imminently threatened. As a whole the Italians are far advanced towards a complete conquest of the defences covering Trieste. With matters in this state particu lar interest attaches to reports that serious dissensions have a.risen between the Austrian and German leaders. If the situation of the Austrians is.as dangerous as it appears to bo, and Germany is unable to render them effectual aid, these dissensions may speedily become serious. Presumably they arise from an Austrian demand for assistance which Germany feels herself unable to give. The resisting power of the Dual Monarchy 'is already weakened not only by the exhausting strain of the war, but by racial antagonisms which make a really'national outlook impossible. Germany is bound to regard with serious misgivings the spectacle of an ally so circumstanced confronted by such a problem as exists, and is developing on the Austro-Italian front, and the outlook from her standpoint will certainly not be improved by growing resentment in the Dual Monarchy; at the refusal of German aid.