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The Daily News. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1917, ITALY'S REVERSE.

The news of the fall of Gorizia and the invasion of Italian soil by the AustroGermans has come as a profound shock. There can be no doubt that our gallant Italian Allies have artived at a crisis in the war that will need all their courage, determination, and skill to overcome. After pressing on from success to succr " and delivering Mow after blow on the Austrian forces, costing the enemy 24,000 men in prisoners alone, besides numerous guns and vast stores of food and ammunition, Germany has come to the rescue of her partner, and by a sudden and vigorous onslaught his made the Italians stagger .backwards just when the fruits of their brilliant campaign appeared to be within reach. Up till quite recently, all that skill and endurance could accomplish in the past two and a half years our Italian Allies achieved, but the Huns have, for the time being at/ least, /turned the scale. The accounts of the Austro-Ger-raan offensive have been of such a nature as to induce a fear that the campaign would end most disastrously for tie Italians. That the situation is one of gravity is unfortunately only too evident, but in the light of the latest news there are gleams of hope, and it is to be sincerely desired that the worst is over. It is stated that General Cadorua is retreating to a pre-arranged impregnable line, and if his forces can only stem the enemy's advance—as they are evidently endeavoring to do—they may yet win through. General Smuts' recent speech should certainly put heart into the Italians. His assertion that the Allies are going to stand bv Italy to tie bitter end is no idle talk, but an exposition of policy that will be carried out to the letter. It is quite possible that the series of victories won by the Italians over the Austrians lias led to underrating the immense power and trained military skill of the Austrians, but Austria is a foe to respect and to detest for the brutality with which she has used her might to kill the sense of Italian nationality within her borders. But for Italy, a million of Austria's finest troops would be available on other fronts. Germany evidently thought she saw the opportunity of putting Italy out of action and thus, combined with her success in Russia, to inspirit the German people, who are seething with disaffection at the prolongation of the war, by news of the rapid conquest of the enemies of the Central Powers. There can be no question that the German hammer is being weilded with vigor and effect, but now that the first 9hock has been met, and by the foresight of. the Commander-in-Chief a strong retreating base has been provided, there should be no such collapse as that which seemed ito be threatening. As usual, the Huns are conducting a propaganda campaign as well as a. military offen-

—1 I ~ ~~ sivp. Both have to be dealt with and it is hardly possible, without adequate help 1 ruin the Allies, for Italy to escape del (.'at. The disaster has happened with almost dramatic suddenness and effect, and it would seem that, as in the c<u-.c of Russia, treachery played a part in insidious foe that is always diiiicult to conquer. Italy tlias reached a crisis, and though the outlook is serious, it all depends on how the siiuation is met. The general feeling of anxiety is only natural under the circumstances, but we cannot forget the gallant and heroic manner in which the Italians have fought their chief enemy. They have shown what they can do and have accomplished marvels, and if the German treason propaganda 'has not done its evil work, then there is hope for Italy. It is easy to discern why the first onslaught of the Austro-Germans succeeded, but the holding up of subsequent attacks indicates that the fighing power of our Ally is still effective. Here, again, is to bo seen another evidence of the far reaching effect of the Russian collapse in enabling the release of German troops from that theatre. Italy has our deepest sympathy and will, we are confident, have all the aid that the Allies can render. It is stated that calm confidence exists in Rome, but what is needed is supreme effort on behalf of the army. There are phases of the reverse that seeift difficult to account for, and though the situation is not desperate it is undoubtedly very grave. If the Italians are true to their country, all will be well.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19171101.2.22

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1917, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
770

The Daily News. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1917, ITALY'S REVERSE. Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1917, ITALY'S REVERSE. Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1917, Page 4

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