GENERAL DIAZ TO SPEAK In UNION THIS AFTERNOON

General Armando Diaz, Commander-in-Chief of the armies of Italy during the last stage of the world war, will speak this afternoon at 5 o'clock in the Living Room of the Union. His address will be concerning the tense and dramatic moments of the Italians' retreat, their determined stand, and final splendid victory in 1918. General Diaz will speak in Italian but his address will be translated word for word by Captain Huntington of his staff. The meeting will be open to Union members and members of the James A. Shannon Post of the American Legion.

Entering the war somewhat later than her allies, Italy found herself confronted by enemies long prepared for war and just reaching the peak of their military efficiency. For two years she battled these powers in the snow-covered Alps with no relaxation, no encouragement, and little tribute from the outside world.

But when the Austrians broke through at Caporetto the world held its breath, dreading disaster. Speculations as to the immediate fall of Venice were rife, and it seemed as if this apparent defeat would be the final blow to the already laboring Allied cause. The Italian soldiers reached the Piave but went no further. They held their lines, standing at bay throughout the winter of 1917-18. With the spring the Teutonic allies started, their "Peace Drive", and the Austrians, strengthened by six months of intensive preparation, aimed their last terrific blow at the 100-mile long Piave front.

But the blow was not destined to fall, for General Diaz, using the slight reserve force available to him, turned back the attack at the psychological moment, and within a week, had sent his enemies flooding north in the full tide of retreat.

Coming to Cambridge after a strenuous day in Boston General Diaz will enter the Yard through the Johnston Gate and go to the steps of Widener Library where he will receive a general's salute from the guns of the Artillery Unit of the University R. O. T. C. He will then be received by the Faculty in the Widener Room, and from there will go directly to the Union.