When, in the spring of 1918, Austria launched her great offensive, she faced an army wholly changed. Indifference had vanished, every man thirsted for revenge. No Italian would breathe freely until the stain of the retreat was wiped out. Not an Austrian must remain on Italian soil. The Austrians were bewildered when, instead of encountering a demoralized and beaten army, they found themselves face to face with a new and rejuvenated force. Instead of advancing, the Austrians were swept off their feet. Instead of a crumbling line, they met a wall of steel against which their onslaughts were of no avail. On came the infuriated Italians, crushing the Austrian offensive and forcing them to beat a hasty retreat. Austria will never forget the punishment she received on the Piave (pee-ah-vuh), along the Asiago plateau, and in the vicinity of Monta Grappa. [Illustration: AMONG THE COLUMNS OF ST. PETER'S, ROME Photograph by E. M. Newman] Fields were strewn with Austrian dead. So precipitate had been their flight that they had to abandon guns, ammunition, supplies, in fact everything they possessed. When, a few days later, I crossed the delta of the Piave, I saw thousands of Austrian helmets, overcoats, and supplies of every description covering the ground that extended for many miles to the Little Piave, across which the Austrian army had been driven. It had been impossible in their retreat to bury their dead. Heaps of bodies still lay where they fell. Every ditch was filled with slain Austrians, the roadways were lined with them. It was a gruesome sight, but it told the story of a changed Italy, of a new army that meant to retrieve the honor of the country, and bring to the Italian arms the glory to which they were entitled. Italy needed coal, she wanted steel for ammunition, and these deficiencies threatened her effort. Her allies came to her assistance, and equipped and replenished her for the prosecution of the war to a successful conclusion. [Illustration: A HUMBLE FOUR-FOOTED CITIZEN OF ROME His voice was never for war Photograph by E. M. Newman] In relief work the Italians are particularly efficient. The central organization of the Italian Red Cross has naturally assumed the responsibility and direction of all relief work, both for soldiers and civilians. Numerous other organizations have sprung into existence; chief among them is "_Le Samaritane_," which is under the presidency of Her Majesty, Queen Helena of Italy. In this organization are thousands of women who are members of the best Italian society, and they have rendered effective and generous assistance in many ways, relieving distress wherever they find it.