General Cielorna announced on Wednesday the commencement of an enemy
offensive on the Upper Isonzo, between 'folmino and the northern part of the Bainsizza Plateau. For the first time the Italians are being attacked by a strong C9,914111 army as well as by largo Austrian reinforcements from the Russian front. We may await the result with confidence, though the enemy gains an initial eticcess. It is highly significant that, at a moment when she needs all her reserved on the Western Front, Germany should have been compelled to go to the help of Austria on the Isonzo. Though Austria has now massed the granter part of her armies on the Isonzo and in the Trentino, she evidenkly feels unequal to the task of holding back the Italians. Germany has reluctantly come to the rescue its the hope of putting new vigour into the depressed and weary Austrians. Germany is credited in some quarters with the belief that Italy may become despondent after one or two defeats, but the Germane are probably much more anxious about the deepen& ncy that prevails at Vienna and Budapest.
