TO PARALYSE ITALY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15195, 16 April 1917, Page 2

TO PARALYSE ITALY.

GREAT COUP IN SPRING. ROME NOT PERTURBED. Austria and Germany are preparing for a big spring offensive against Italy (cabled recently the Rome correspondent of the "Chicago Tribune"). German staff officers are now visiting the Trentino front and the Trieste line making arrangements for a great coup to be struck soon, if King Frost allows. Field Marshal von Macbensen is to command the Austrian troops, along with German troops already drafted to that section I* is even said Field Marshal von Hindenburg means to keep an eye on operations against Italy. He already has made a careful inspection of the entire front. So far Austrian General Conrad remains head of the general staff, but he will work under German leaders. The object cf the proposed offensive is to push the Italians into the valley and so sweep over Lombardy and Veoeto and dictate terms to Italy'e King. COPY ROUMANIAN CAMPAIGN. The general outline of the forthcoming attack, judging from movements of fho Austrian and German troops and the nature of the preparations going on, resembles that of last fall against fbonraania whereby Generals von Falkenhayn and Von Mackensen dealt such overwhelming blows that the Roumanians were forced to evacuate Wallachia. Substitute Veneto for the Roumanian province and you have a general idea of the forthcoming plan against Ital.y. If it were to succeed, Lombardy with its wealth of industry and agriculture would fall into the enemy's hands. Austrians already are counting on ita success. LACKED GERMAN HELP. "Last year's offensive failed," they argue, "because the German generals did not help ua. But now there are von Hindenburg, von Falkenhayn, and von Mackensen. We cannot" lose. "The Socialists of Vienna are making a lot out of this expedition, using ite prospects at public meetings in striving to unite the various peoples and races of Austria-Hungary against their traditional foe, Italy. Four years ago General Conrad ad\ised Emperor Franz Josef to attack while the bulk of its army was busy on Libia and put it in servitude when isonc of tKe other Powers were likely to help it . The Archduke, Franz Ferdinand, supported General Conrad, but the Emperor disapproved and the opportunity passed for ever. ITALY WATCHING MOVES. Italian military experts are fully aware of the preparations Austria and Germany are making against the Italian front, but the situation has changed immensely since May, 1916. To meet the threats from Vienna we have Italy's fervid preparation during the autumn and winter months, its enormously increased output of heavy guns and ammunition, ite mobile system of reinforcements, and the ease with which it can move troops and supplies behind ite lines, and, last, the large reserves of freh troops ready for immediate action, well drilled and equipped and filled with enthusiasm.

READY FOR FOE/S ATTACK. Distinguished officers who twice have won £he coveted blue ribbon for valour, the highest award given by Italy for military service, were asked what chances von Mackensen and von Falkenhayn would have against the Italian, armies. "We don't under-rate their preparations, but luckily we are in a very different position with regard to heavy artillery from even last spring. Then General Cadorna not only checked the Austrian offensive, but laid and carried out his plan for the capture of Goritz. "The French, British, and Russians all suffered for want of heavy guns at the beginning of the war, and so did we. At the beginning we could, in a general way, send back only one heavy shell to the enemy's three, but now we send three to their one. Had we possessed the heavy guns we now 7 have at the beginning "of the war we should have been in Vienna by now. "No, we have no fears for Italy in this new offensive, for we have watched our progress in every way since the beginning."