OCR Text |
Show SITUATION ON THE ITALIAN FRONT IS CAUSING ANXIETY IONTX)X, Oct. 27. The Austro-O firman blow on tho Isonzo is featured by the morning newspapers, which comment rather anxiously. News dispatches disclose dis-close that Field Marshal von Mackensen is in command of the enemy forces. A British correspondent on the Italian front, In a telegram under Wednesday's date, says: "This is going to be one of the terrible crises, when each side stakes all upon the throw and when thousands of men are strained to the limit of exhaustion for a decision whose effects will reach far beyond the hattlefled and modify the wholse course of the war. Italy is about to meet siiiRte-handed almost the entire Austrian army and to hear alone the burdens she hitherto has shared with tho Russians. It is known that at least ten German divisions are waiting behind the enemy front and that the number of newly arrived Austrian divisions is even greater." Subsequent dispatches confirming the violence of Aron Mnckensen's onslaught, taken with the Italian and German official offi-cial statements, cause commentators here to treat the situation very seriously. The Times sees the news from all other theaters the-aters eclipsed and reads grave warnings In the dispatches from the Italian front. "The Immediate possibilities of the Austro-German offensive," it says, "are of a character which the allies must instantly in-stantly take into account. An extensive invasion of Italy at this juncture junc-ture would affect the whole allied cause. In that spirit measures must be taken should the necessity arise." ! The Mornlnj? Post savg the situation j evidently is critical and that the British nation must realize that fresh efforts and fresh sacrifices are necessary. The Daily News thinks that all the ffalns made in Italy's summer campaign a,re in jeopardy and fears that an evil-omen evil-omen period of military tension coincides with the political crisis in Italy. On the other hand, the Times thinks the menace of Invasion has strengthened the parties In Italy who criticised the Boselli government for lack of vigor In conducting the war, and that the Austro- j German onslaught will have an effect in j Italy contrary to that anticipated by the enemy. Confidence also is expressed here !n General Cadorna and in the Italian army, while It is hoped that General Pe tain's successes on tho Alsne-and the pressure in Flanders will balance matters. "The Germans must still be strong,'' saya the Post, "If they can deliver a great assault on the Isonzo and at the same time rest secure In Flanders." |