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.
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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.
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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
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We have this model in all colors and sizes;
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The Men's Store for
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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'
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