The Taihape Daily Times. AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1918. ITALY'S BRILLIANT VICTORY.

Taihape Daily Times, 26 June 1918, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times. AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1918. ITALY'S BRILLIANT VICTORY.

(With which is Incorporated The Taihape Post and Walnran-ao News).

Nothing has so convincingly discovered the ravages of the war-time inaugurated by Germany since the conflict began as the complete defeat Austria has just suffered on the Ital-ian-front. Not long ago Austria was

able to hold Italy, invade Serbia an<s spare large armies to assist in throwing back the millions of Russia; today the whole concentrated force of Austria cannot stand against the Italian front. Even with all the advantages, which we too well know are 1 ' possessed by the attacking armies in a great offensive, Austria has been signally beaten, routed, and her soldiers are fleeing before the victorious Italians. In this one appalling holocaust, it is stated, two hundred thousands of ibrave men have fallen; and this is only a fraction of the price that the German Kaiser would pay for world domination. If Austrian strength is so reduced that its sum total cannot withstand the arms of the Italians, let alone invade their country, we may well conclude that German strength" must be on the verge of such 'a depletion that it cannot long withstand the rapidlyincreasing pressure of' the Allies on the West front. There is the terrify, ing evidence of the ravages of war on Allied armies; of the alarming fact that without American intervention the insane lust of Germany could not have been effectually throttled. In this Italian victory there is evidence of quite the opposite character; Ausr tria cannot defend the Italian 'front,, let alone obey the commands of Germany to furjiish an army to assist in overwhelming the Allies in France and Belgium. Germans, cables advise, are sending forces to Italy from the West front, to rescue their chief ally from complete destruction in the Carnie Alps, perhaps, by striking a counter-Wow in the Trentino, which is more easily accessible. Howbeit, Austrian armies are at present fleeing, and their country is in political ariC industrial chaos. Is there any prospect or hope for recovery, are those conditions possible of attainment within reasnable time that would sufficiently reinstate order and industry, render-

ing Austria once more a useful anu powerful tool in German hands? We do not think so; the political situation in Austria was just about past hope .before the rout and appalling slaughter in the offensive against Italy occurred. In lact, it seems certain that an invasion of Italy was decided upon as the last despairing effort to sufficiently inspirit the people to enable some sort of order and control being exercised; it proved a spurious antidote, however, and Austria is now sick unto death, politically and militarily. Internally torn with riot and revolution the distracted empire is falling by the war-way from sheer exhaustion, and there seems fo be no hope for recovery. The moral effect of the Austrian defeat will extend to wherever a soldeir of the Central Powers is fighting; we have yet to know its ful! significance upon the temper of the German people, and upon German soldiers. Before it occurred there was ample evidence of a lowering morale, tnd the means taken to raise it has so miserably failed that it can scarcely help being rendered so intense as to ciuse rupture, riot and revolution that will be a source of bewilderment to the High Command. If Germany intends to strike on the West front a commencement' must be made a,t once; to wait for demoralisation to spread is to wait for defeat. Germany's strength, and Germany's weak- j hess have been discovered; General

Foch's mind is at rest on many matters that were hitherto a great source of concern to him. He is now convinced that Austria cannot aid Hindenburg on the West fi;ont; also, tiui 'if it is decided Austria is worth sav-, ing, Germany has to provide the number of men that can accomplish that apparently superhuman task. The German public is already displaying exasperation at Hindenburg's delays, and describes his .Western campaign as a failure. It is reported that a desperate attempt to redeem the situation is expected shortly; that Ludendorff is resorting tp every means to keep up the strength of his armies,. ; apd that some of Falkenhayn's drafts from prisoners in Russia have already reached France. The 'Austrian debacle, at last reports, was still in progress, but it is doubtful whether the Italians had such a concentration on the Piave front that would enable pursuit to be persisted in against defences that are sure to be made on the nearest line that seems of sufficient strength to stop the onrushing victors. The Germans are rushing troops from the West to Italy, but can sufficient numbers arrive in time to redeem and save the political and military situation? It is indeed very doubtful, and the attempt even is fraught with much danger. The Italians have scored the first brilliant triumph in the closing scenes of the great Armageddon, and all the world, except their enemies, -will rejoice with them in their triumph.