CHAPTER CCLXXV. ITALY, 1917-1918: AUSTRIA'S LAST OFFENSIVE. FALL OF BOSELLI GOVERNMENT, OCTOBER, 1917-THE ORLANDO MINISTRY-POLITICAL SITUATION AND ITALIAN MORAL"- AUSTRIA, THE CHIEF ENEMY-ANXIETY ABOUT ALLIED POLICYSITUATION IN SPRING OF 1918-THE CONTROVERSY BETWEEN ITALY AND THE YUGOSLAVS--THE LONDON AGREEMENT AND ITALIAN CLAIMS THE PACT OF CORFU THE PACT OF ROME AND ITS MEANING MILITARY SITUATION AT END OF 1917-SOME MINOR SUCCESSES-BOMBS ON VENICE AND PADUA AUSTRIAN OFFENSIVE IN JUNE, 1918-FAILURE IN THE NORTH-AUSTRIANS CROSS THE PIAVE AND ARE DEFEATED--IMPORTANCE OF THE ITALIAN VICTORY had barely weathered a crisis four months previously (the details have been given in Vol. XV, Chapter CCXXXIII), and in the interval events had occurred which had weakened its position still further. It had very few real friends, for there was a general feeling that it had failed in energy and foresight. There was still some reluctance to upset "the National Ministry," which stood for as much unity as could be expected in a country where political passion had run very high, both before and after the entry into the war. This reluctance, together with the known wish of Baron Sonnino that things should continue as they were, had saved the Government in June. When Parliament met there was a chance that the same feeling might prevail. But there were new elements in the situation. Or perhaps it ought to be said that some of the old difficulties had become accentuated. Keen debate was expected over the question of the food supply and the policy of the Ministry of the Interior. The two questions were closely connected, for lack of food was a powerful assistant to the arguments of Vol. XIX.-Part 235. 1 the Official Socialists, who, like a few of their brethren in England, and more in France, seemed at first sight to have only one war aim -peace, immediate peace, peace at almost any cost. The Official Socialist Party had given a warm welcome to the Papal Note of the previous August, claiming that Benedict XV. 'spoke the language of Kienthal," and they had adopted as their slogan the declaration of one of their leaders, Signor Claudio Treves: "This winter no one must be in the trenches." It was said again, as it was said four months earlier, that Signor Orlando had not shown sufficient firmness in dealing with "defeatist propaganda," and critics could point to various disquieting symptoms in support of their contention, notably to General Cadorna's renewed protests, and to the serious riots which had taken place in Turin towards the end of August -riots which seemed directly traceable to the incitement of the Official Socialists. It seemed certain that the Minister of the Interior would have to meet a stronger attack than before. But if there was discontent with the work of individual Ministers, the feeling was still stronger against the Cabinet as a whole. The Government seemed to be afflicted with inertia, vagueness, lack of cohesion; and the fault was |