WAR MEMOIRS OF DAVID LLOYD GEORGE 1917

476 WAR MEMOIRS OF DAVID LLOYD GEORGE
hardly point out that the overthrow of the Austrian Army might
produce in the present condition of Austrian public opinion
decisive results on the whole campaign. / was therefore very distressed
to find from one of Delmi-Radcliffe's reports that Cadorna
apprehended that these brilliant possibilities might be rendered
unattainable owing to the imminent exhaustion of the Italian
reserves of ammunition. Do you not think that a new situation
has arisen there which requires immediate action on the part of
the Allies to support the Italian attack, make up their deficiencies
and enable them to convert the Austrian retreat into a rout? It
would indeed be a severe reflection upon us all if later on it were
discovered that we missed a great chance of achieving a signal
and far-reaching military success for the Allied cause, through
lack of readiness to take advantage of an opening made for us by
the Italian Army.
"I feel confident that you are watching events with anxious
scrutiny. If you think that the Italian victory is capable of being
pressed to important conclusions would it not be worth while
your paying an immediate visit to that front to judge for yourself
and to form an independent opinion as to what might be
accomplished if the French and ourselves were to make sacrifices
which would enable Cadorna to press on until the Austrian Army
completely breaks?
"Once more I would impress upon you and the War Cabinet
the enormous responsibility that rests upon us not to allow the
most promising opening which events have thrown in our way in
any Western theatre to come to nought for want of opportune
support.
"I should be obliged if you would mention this communication
to the Cabinet this morning. I am writing to Mr. Bonar Law on
the same subject.
Ever sincerely,
D. LLOYD GEORGE."
As I was still in the country, I wrote at the same time
to Bonar Law to beg him to bring pressure to bear on Robertson
: