File No. 763.72/7610
The Ambassador in Italy ( Page) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11.30 p.m.]
1192. No information given out but reported two more divisions commanded by General Giorgi who were defending Tagliamento line have been cut off and captured, it may be part of the force [Page 297] lost four or five days ago. Report is that Italians still holding Trentino line, nothing known of conclusions conference of Allied generals and ministers in Italian Riviera but French and British troops are being sent to Italy by train and camions and rumor is that Pétain will be placed in command. Criticism of Italian military leadership beginning, one rumor is that over score of officers of Second Army have been shot among them General Capello, commander of Second Army who was ill at the time of battle, seems hardly credible.
People comparatively calm but in Florence considerable murmuring. In Milan little business being done and evident uneasiness but Sacred Union of Socialists, Clericals and others have signed an address to country to stand solid for Italy. In Rome over three hundred deputies have signed a patriotic address praising the patriotism of the people of the Veneto and calling on everybody to forget differences; also that Italy can not be conquered but that she must continue her mission of civilization.
Cadorna has put all of the region north of the Po under military control.