OCR Text |
Show MASSING FOR ANOTHER OFFENSIVE. In a cablegram from Rome today is this word of uncertainty: "On the Italian lines the Germans and Austrians arc massing for a greater great-er offensive." This message is ono which wo interpret in-terpret as filled with forebodings. Does It moan that greater'reinforce-ments greater'reinforce-ments have arrived from the Russian front and tho Italians are about to bo overwhelmed? We were of the opinion the central powers had brought down all their surplus sur-plus troops from the Russian lines, but this news indicates that the greater great-er part of the reserves didn't arrive until within the last few days. So, instead of the crisis having passed, the allies are facing another severe strain, and, perhaps, a more serious situation than was presented when the Teutons broke through the Isonzo front. If the Germans can break down tho barriers now offered by the Italians, reinforced by the British and French, the second retreat will carry with it a chill for the allies in France. There is a great opportunity for strategy in meeting thiB new offensive. offen-sive. In the mountains of northern Italy, where the Germans are trying to outflank the army of General Diaz, a ruse might be employed, whereby the Italians, pretending to bo panic stricken and giving way, would draw the enemy into a trap. With the tremendously tre-mendously effective machine guns and field pieces of today, an army caught out of the trenches could be cut down as though swept by a blast from Mount Pelee. |