In the Italian theatre of war the progress made by
our Allies has been of the most satisfactory kind. Almost the whole of the ground lost when the great Austrian push took place has been regained, and we may expect before long to hear that the Italians are in a position to reverse the parts and absolutely take the offensive. In any case, even if the combatants only go back to their old places, the gain will be on the side of the Italians. They have proved that an Austrian attack, though long prepared for and backed by some of the best artillery in the world and by the very pick of the Austrian Army, cannot succeed. If the Austrians could not break through into the Venetian Plain in June, what sane person will suppose that they will be able to do it in August or September ? No one should look for rapid developments on the Italian line, owing to the appallingly difficult nature of the ground ; but Italy is doing her part in keeping her own territory inviolate and holding up so large a body of the enemy. When the war is over and the final
accounts are made up, the sterilization of the best portion of the Austrian Army will be found to have played a large part in the overthrow of the Central Powers.
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