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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 4, 1917)
THE SUNDAY OREGOXIAX. PORTLAXD, -XOVE3IBER 4, 1917. 7 TEUTON ARMIES HELD IN CHECK Italian Situation Reassuring, but Continued Gravity Not - to Be Underestimated. CAVALRY PROVES VALUABLE "'Deeds of Famous Light Brigade at Balaklava Are Emulated," De clares Officer AVIio lias Been Following Campaign. (By the Associated Preps.) ITALIAN HEADQUARTERS IN NORTHERN ITALY, Friday. Nov. 2. The general situation presents many-reassuring- features, but its continued pravity is not to be underestimated. The enemy advance is being held back west or the Tagliamento River. The Italian cavalry is again demonstrating Its value. Reports coming in from all quarters now make it clear that the enemy united in the decision to try to deliver a elasgerlng blow to Italy and thus de range the entire scope of the entente offensives at other points. Not only did Germany participate with heavy forces massed against the Italian sec ond army, but the larger part of the huge concentration was drawn from the Russian front under circumstances which the Italians regard as very mys terious. Light Drlxade Dd Emulated. "The Italian cavalry has emulated the deeds of the famous Light Brigade at Balaklava," said a British officer "who has been following the operations on the Italian front, in speaking today cf tlie campaign now in progress. Ever since the opening of the war the Italian cavalrymen have been chafing because the mountain warfare offered 110 opportunity for employment of their branch of the service. They were drafted into infantry and bomb-throwing contingents and into the aerial service. Now, however, they have had the chance to prove that the cavalry is not as "obsolete an crossbowmen," as one writer put it.- In fact, the success ful retirement of the valiant Italian army was due very largely to the hero ism of the mounted troops. Fighting W hh Brilliant. The splendid maneuvering of the calvary in great masses and their reck Jess charges in the face of streams of machine gun bullets are regarded by military officers as constituting one of the most brilliant features of the fight ing on this front. Charges of entire brigades were exe cuted with perfect precision and con trol. Many difficult feats were per formed. Machine guns could, not stop them. Some regiments were virtually anni hilated, but their effort was not in vain, Inasmuch as they protected the road over which the third army passed to safety. The stories of heroism are in spiring, the troops, whose spirits are recovering. Physicians Show Bravery. In other branches of the service, also, crave deeds were performed. For In etance. the physicians in charge of the military hospitals in Udine refused to the last man to leave, voting to remain with their patients. It was suggested that they draw lots for the choice of a few who should remain behind, but all Insisted on remaining at their posts. Feature of Retreat Remarkable. One of the most remarkable features of the Italian retreat to the Taglla" mento line was the manner in which the third army, occupying the south erly end of the old line, effected its escape from the envelopment threat ened by the second army's enforced rearward movement. While the second army was steadily Riving ground in the earlier stages of the Austro-German thrust the third army held its own, not yielding a foot, although a heavy bombardment had been kept up all along its front. When heavy .enemy artillery fire began to be heard first on its left flank and then towards the rear, however, it was recognized that the position was a precarious one for such a vast assem blage of men and war material. . This led to serious . consideration of the question of the retirement, and it is believed that the order was issued late or. October 25 or early the following morning. Even after the order to fall back was issued, however, the Duke of Oasta's men stood to their guns, un willing to quit the field they had won with such heroic sacrifice, until the boom of the enemy's guns began to be distinctly heard toward their rear. Brigade Are Sacrificed. Then began the stupendous move ment rearward and sideward with the enemy hovering close along the line of withdrawal and Italian Bersaglieri brigades sacrificing themselves to per mit the main columns to get clear with tl.eir guns and munitions. The move ment was complicated by the fact that ' few of the main roads ran east and west, most of them running north and outh. Also there were but three bridges across the Tagliamento, which stream it was necessary for the colossal traffic to cross in moving westward. It is the judgment of military experts that this removal under ordinary con ditions would require a full month, yet It was accomplished within an al most Incredibly small' fraction of that period, amid exhibitions of fortitude and displays of endurance under hard ships and inevitable suffering almost without parallel. Camouflage Is Practiced. During its retirement the third army had become separated from the second, leaving a gap. In this gap enemy forces pushed forward and soon put Into operation a cunning device. Aus trian soldiers were dressed in Italian uniforms, so as to permit them to scat ter over the country or mingle with the Italian forces on both sides of the gap. The Austrla.-is, thus garbed, were en abled to advance unopposed and then opened fire with machine guns on re treating parties. Some of the Austrians were smuggled forward in motor lor ries and then turned against the west ward moving force. . Conditions for the retreating army became worse- as the days passed and the supplies . became scarcer. Many men died along the road from exhaus tion. However, with all the inevitable misery, terror and tragedy attending auch a gigantic operation the army Itself has been preserved with most of Its artillery and supplies, although the best-informed military opinion believes that another two hours' delay in Ca dorna's order to retire would have re sulted in the loss of the entire third army. Retreat Has Compensation. From the strategic standpoint the Italian retreat In Northern Italy has certain compensations. It has short ened the Italian front from an irregu lar curve of 70 miles to a compact, straight line. The former front. Just abandoned, stretched from , Plezzo southward to the Gulf of. Triest, which is SO miles in an air line and more than 70 miles in cluding the zig-zags over the moun tains. This was an exceptionally long front for either offensive or defensive operations and it was continually threatened with incursions at weak Points of the long line, such as the fatal one, when the present blow was delivered at a point where the line tapered off to a thin outpost. The old line, moreover, had no riv ers as natural defenses. Now, how ever, the front Is greatly shortened with the entire army massed and backed by natural defenses. Thus, strategically, the invading forces are at present standing with a wide and turbulent mountain stream before them, on the edge of Winter, besides cenfronting an army which is rap idly reforming along the new line. Trentlno Front Considered. But the strategic issues are not con fined to those bearing on the situation eastward in Venetla. There must also be taken into consideration the Tren tlno front, which has heretofore been distinct and separate In the war opera tions. The Venetian front runs per pendicularly from the Adriatic, where as the Trentino front runs horizontally eastward from Lake Garda, and is little more than 30 miles away from the north. Scouts going in that direction today heard heavy gunfire to the northward, so that attention must be turned in two directions eastward to the new Venetian front east of the Tagliamento River and northward to the Trentino front from Lake Garda eastward. Reports coming in today were of a reassuring character, showing the Ital ian rearguard still holding the enemy north of the Tagliamento. This river is a difficult one for the enemy to cross, us the rapids are so swift It Is impossible to float pontoons. Looting; Im Reported. One of the last arrivals from the in vaded regions came into town today after a dangerous, circuitous trip along by-roads to avoid the enemy scouts. Their IThlans. he reported, en tered some of the towns early on Sun day and soon afterward there was a fusillade which terrified the few townspeople remaining. Another of the late arrivals said he saw soldiers breaking into jewelry shops and com ing into the street with their hands filled with watches and Jewelry, while all other places having things of value were similarly raided. While the retreat was on the enemy continued to push forward close upon the retiring army, the rear guard holding the pursuing forces at most points. One priest garbed in the uni form of a chaplain did heroic service in this respect. He saw an artillery man falter and ordered him back to his task. The soldier made a lunge at the Chaplain, who called a carbineer. The lattter placed the muzzle of a rifle at the soldier's breast and warned him that any faltering at such a mo ment meant instant death, whereupon the soldier returned to his task. Thus the commanders battled against the enemy and also against the - ab normal congestion, with all its terrors, miseries and fatigues, which follow in the wake of a vast rearward movement The latest reports tonight indicated no change in the situation for the worse. On the contrary, there were several reassuring phases, so that the situation as a whole appeared more hopeful. ROME, Nov. 3. Austro-German pres sure was more noticeable yesterday on the left wing of the Italian armies on the Tagliamento line. Attempts made by the Teutons to reach the right bank of the river have been detained by the Italian troops. BERLIN, Nov. 3. More than 200.000 prisoners and 1800 guns have been taken in the Austro-German campaign on the Italian front. The booty in ma chine guns, mine throwers, motor ve hicles, baggage and other war material cannot be estimated, even' approxi mately. There have been no further impor tant military operations. FARRIN FOUND GUILTY Former Portland Attorney Granted 10 Days to File Appeal. George N. Farrln, former Portland attorney, was yesterday declared guilty of forgery. Federal Judge Wolverton announced that sentence upon Mr. Far rln will be suspended 10 days to give him opportunity to file an appeal. Four complaining witnesses accused the defendant of having indorsed their names to checks for $10 mailed to them in his care because he was acting as their attorney in land matters at the time. Mr. Farrin declared that he acted with power of attorney in cashing the checks. Hindu Laborer Injured. Naden Khan, a Hindu laborer. 31 years old, was injured severely yester day, at Front and Burnside streets, when he was struck by a Hazelwood truck, driven by F. A. Moweiw. The driver summoned the Ambulance Serv ice Company and Khan was taken to St. Vincent's Hospital. His collarbone and several ribs are broken and he sustained scalp wounds. Mr. Mowers reported the accident at police head quarters, stating that Khan stepped suddenly before the machine as it was making the turn at Front and Burn-side. IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII I ATTRACTION I EXTRAORDINARY Sacred and Patriotic CONCERT THIS AFTERNOON November 4, 3 o'Clock AT THE AUDITORIUM As Part of the Programme of the Manufac turers' and Land Products Show McElroy's Band and Soloists will render a specially attractive programme. Plenty of good seats. Come early to get choice. No seats reserved. A rare collection of inspiring numbers. niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuninuiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiin REFORM IS DEMAND Immediate Settlement of Prus sian Situation Asked. POLITICAL CENSOR TO GO Make-fp of Chancellor von Hert ling's Cabinet Uncertain, Though Emperor Has Given Him Free Hand to Choose Subordinates. COPEN'HAGEX, Nov. 3. The Nation al Liberal platform adopted by the Keichstag committee of the party, ac cording to Berlin advices, seems to promise active co-operation of the na tional liberals with the Reichstag ma jority block, notwithstanding a few minor disharmonies. It demands the immediate settlement of the Prussian electoral reform as necessary to con form to the sense of the Emperor's re cent message on the subject. The platform desires the abolition of the political censorship, or at least transfer of it to the hands of responsi ble civil authorities. It says that the party is prepared to work on a reform of labor legislation along the lines mentioned by the Socialists. All these points were ones on which the attitude of the National Liberals heretofore has been doubtful, to say the least. Rift in Concord Noticeable. A slight rift in concord appears in the platform's paragraph on the peace policy in which, while assenting to the general principles enunciated in the re ply to the pope, it demands full free dom of action for the empire in the field of foreign policy and that the Reichstag resolution of last July be no longer regarded as binding. It puts in a word for the conservatives, saying that in the interests of a political truce, whose continuance until the end of the war is all important, no party should be excluded from the association. The newspapers this morning, the Berlin advices state, were rather un certain regarding the make-up of Count von Hertling's cabinet. The new Chancellor has been given a free hand by the Emperor to choose his subordi nates and is under no binding promise to the Reichstag parties, as to the particular men to be called into the ministry, although he offered assur ances to them that he would extend the practice of inviting members of parliament as inagurated by his pre decessor. A decision on the -question of the ap pointments of Friederich von Payer, progressive member of the Reichstag! " ce-i nancenor: Herr Friedberg leader of the national liberals, as vice- president of the Prussian ministry Heinrich Dove, radical, as Minister of Trade, and the probable appointments of several others, is expected to be taken only as the result of negotiations that may last several days. It is gen erally assumed that Vice-Chancellor Helfferich, a capable and originally popular Minister. who ruined his chances by feeling called upon after his appointment to play toward the Reichstag the role of an iron-fisted statesman in an attempt to qualify himself as a successor to Bismarck will be thrown overboard. Charges to Be Mnde. It evidently is the intention of Chan cellor von Hertling to introduce a con siderable amount of parliamentary blood into the administration, and this programme has. to a large extent, dis counted the effect of his effort to re voke article 9 in the constitution for bidding the members of the Reichstag to sit In the Bundesrath. The course of events leading to the formation of the Von Hertling Cab inet is recognized by all the news papers as a long step toward the par liamentary system. The Vorwaerts enumerates the changes which, it says, correspond with those followed In lands ruled on the parliamentary system, and declares that, by whatever name It Is called, it is In essence a state of affairs for which the advocates of parliamentar ism have been striving. BATTLESHIP BOAT LOST CREW NUMBERING TWELVE MEN PASS IN VIOLENT STORM. Three Bodies Have Been Found and As sumption of Department Is That No One Escaped. WASHINGTON. Nov. 8. Twelve men all the crew of the picket-boat of the battleship Michigan, were lost when their little craft foundered In home waters October 30. Three bodies have been found and. Inasmuch as all the others are missing, the Navy Department assumes that all were lost. Following is a list. of the crew: Joseph J. Schultz, seaman. Fort Wayne, Ind. Joseph H. Hendrickson, seaman. York. Pa. Roscoe Scott, fireman. Denver. Colo. Stanley J. Wing, fireman, Detroit, Mich. Austin Atwood, seaman, Sanduskv, O. Arthur A. Flow, seaman, Matthews, Mecklenberg County, N. C. Andrew F. Meiser, gunner's mate. Wilkesbarre, Pa. Walter H. Fischer, coxswain, Chi cago. Clarence L. Jones, seaman. Bucks port. Me. Edmund L. Tamillo, coxswain, Chi cago. James P. Young, chief gunner's mate. Brooklyn, N. Y. Oeorge M. Hldmarch. Jr., seaman, no ME. Hanan Shoes Are Best S.H. VtH" fjjl Stamps Vii ' Given SV A SK our customers who wear Hanan Shoes and you will hear a universal story of satisfaction, because of their style, comfort and durability. Once a wearer of Hanan Shoes, you will be dissatisfied with any other make. The Hanan is the aristocrat among- shoes. any brown, with pendable shoes of modestly priced . . A Fine Shoe Moderately Priced We show men's English lace calf shoes in mahog; solid oak tan soles. De good appearance, an -!! 1 114- i-T7,. pfTrir I IT ill Tf iTi TH ssssss 129 Tenth St., Bet. Washington t and Alder "The Military Girl A Woman's Shoe We show all sizes in this shoe, in dark brown or black Russia calf. "The Military Girl" has welt . soles and sensible heels. Priced at only $7.50 99 Manhattan Shirts Stetson Hats Here it is the You young meh will find here competent salesmen, who know your wants perfectly. Young men of mature years will enjoy coming here for the same reasons; serv ice and guaranteed merchandise. M EN of taste in style will thoroughly like the latest military ideas in overcoats for Fall and Winter. The one you see here is a good example of the free, easy drape, big roomy pockets, wide collar and a two-button belt. It's a comfortable style, all wool, distinctly American, made by Hart Schaffner & Marx We have this model in all colors and sizes; blues, grays, browns, greens, Scotch mixtures in rough, unfinished patterns. We have plain models if you prefer them. $20 and up to $50 Sam'l Rosenblatt & Co. The Men's Store for Quality and Service Southeast Corner Fifth and Alder Liberty Bonds Redeemable in Merchandise. military idea Copyright Hart Schaffner & Mars detailed Information regarding enlist ment. The body of Coxswain Edmund L. Tamillo, whose mother lives in Chicago, has been recovered. It was found by fishermen entangled in their nets last claimed Dy naval orriciais. A violent storm had swept the coast where the accident occurred on the day previous to the finding of Tamlllo's body. Woodmen to Dance at Eagle Creek. Portland Team No. 107. Woodmen of the World, will give an all-night dance Saturday night, November 10. at Eagle Creek, on the' Eslacada line. A special car will leave First and Alder streets at 7:30 P. M. Y. M. C. A. School of Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering will start night classes November 12. Shipfitters, loftsmen, hull and marine draftsmen can obtain practical, individual instruc tion for increased efficiency. Call 9 A. M. to 9 P. M. for full particulars. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, DIV. C Portland Y. M. C. A., 6th and Taylor. - . i : t' Today Program De Luxe 1- f J 1 Always WO Tbe Mont Adorable Screen Character Show Idk tbe Home of 4 1 o o d Shows. The Theater Beantlful. 4- Kr& y i -TV a MARGUE CLARiC as Mary Roberts Rinehart's adorable Sub-deb. She wins . T cr your love, sympathy and laughter in her endeavor to buy CLEVER COMEDY 1 mamee tickets, bonbons, parties, etc., on $1000 a year. See A KEYSTONE BAB'S BURGLAR COLUM
