The sufferings endured by the Slavonic populations of Austria-Hungary, we
hear from a specially well-informed correspondent, are very great. Thousands are imprisoned, and many have been shot already, and the fate of others cannot, it is. to be feared, be regarded as doubtful. The Austrian authorities are in a state of panic, and imagine that their only chance is to strike terror among the Slays by wholesale executions. They are even shooting priests, and not merely Orthodox priests, but those belonging to the Roman Church. The effect of these things in Italy can be easily imagined. It is to be hoped that the Allies will press their operations on the Dalmatian and Istrian coasts with the utmost vigour. They must not forget, however, that the people of the Slavonic hinterland are largely fed from the sea. If possible, therefore, they should, aslt-a-_y clear the coast from Cattaro to Trieste, arrange for the immediate entry of provision ships into the ports. The Austrian Slays are our allies, not our enemies, and we must not starve them while we are striking at the Dual Monarchy.
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