ITALIAN ARMY READY FOR EMERGENCIES.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13773, 10 May 1915, Page 7

ITALIAN ARMY READY FOR EMERGENCIES.

ALTERNATIVE WAR PLANS

DISCUSSED

LGfld&H, May 0

The military correspondent of "The Times" says:—"Since the war started Italy has had time to fit herself out with war ■ materials, especially field artillery, in which she was deficient. Probably her reserves have developed, and her defence in the north is now complete. "Italy's approximate war strength is; over a million, and her army will be able to commence operations in the north \inder extraordinarily favourable conditions. It k reasonably hoped that a slimmer campaign will _ realise | Italian aspirations if they are strictly limited to the acquisition of the TrentImo and Trieste. I expect the developing of an attack upon the former and !an "advance across the River Isonzo, supported by the Navy. i "An alternative course would be a blockade of the Tventino pending a great decision on the Hungarian Plain. A lauding en the Gulf of Fiume has been frequently discussed, but whatever .strategy is adopted, any menace in the Tyrol must be met by the advanced deployment of a great Italian | army against.Austria. Under existing conditions, from Trieste to Tarvis, the I natural line of advance runs through Gorz, upon Vienna." According to a semi-official statement from Rome, Italy's programme was ! completely drawn up months ago, and is being deliberately carried out, despite incidents which are seemingly contradictory. The Government will announce its fixed purpose at the moment when such an announcement is most opportune. Discussions in the meantime would be purposeless.