Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY JUNE 27th 1918 THE ITALIAN FRONT.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1918, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY JUNE 27th 1918 THE ITALIAN FRONT.

The tint tin- Allies have broken the Austrian offensive alone; tho Piave I river is so far satisfactory that it secures j that situation for the time being, giving our forces more time for preparation for the next critical event on the Western front. The signs of Weakness which led to the great enemy advance in Italy last year are now disappearing. Any insecurity or uncertainty as regards the general situation in that quarter will be lessened considerably by the Italian success along tho Piave. The : enemy arc rather more than held in that quarter, and the defeat just suffered is an event of importance not because of its magnitude, but because of what it carries in its train. The plight of the Central Powers, and particularly Austria, appears to Ik> most soriofls. The evidence so far forthcoming is all in one strain, and with the people so reduced, the effect of the present reverso will be not without results. On tho other hand it must hearten the Italians, the best evidence of' which would be to £>ee the Allies advance beyond the Piave, and so lessen the danger of tho important part of Italy recently threatened. Tf the initiative could be taken by the Allies in the Italian theatre, such an offensive would have an effect on the West Front, where the Hermans would he compelled to draw on their reserves to help the Austrians—certainly to stiffen them. The Piave blow might have consequences of special importance, and the course of events should soon indicate tho. possible extent of these. Tin- Italians have great traditions behind them, and in the Austrians have a foe they would not be disposed to deal with lightly. Besides there was the event of last year, they

are anxious, no doubt, to retrieve. Those considerations will inspire tho Italians to improve the war position to the fullest advantage, and for tho way of the war, it is essential they should do so. While tho decision of events largely rests mi the West Front, the fact that in another quarter the. ('mitral Powers are being badly mauled, must have its effect, on the main theatre. It was so when Iho position was reversed, and the Allies had- to seud troops to succour Italy. Now, Austria needs the help which must bo forthcoming from Germany, and to afford that help the enemy forces on tho Western front must be reduced 1o some extent. The importance of keeping up the pressure on the Italian front at the present moment cannot be over-rated, because a groat Gorman offensive is threatened again in the west. The fight ing in the second theatre would help to hold the equilibrium on tho battle fronts, and that is most essential as it is still of Hie greatest importance to the Allies. The Dalian victory seems to I a very encouraging sign coining at the present juncture. Though thv situation in the west is ominously quiet, and to some extent clouded by the happenings in connection with Paris, the outlook need not occasion alarm -in the light of past events wherein figb ing with their backs to the wall, the Allies have boon abb. to hold up the enemv.