New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-08
T eutons Pursue
Italians Over
Another River
Cadorna Crosses Livenza
River, Fifteen Miles Be
yond the Tagliamento

LONDON, Nov. Under the pro-
lection of rear guard forces the ltal-
ians. in their general retreat from the
Tagliamento line, have effected with
drawal behind the Livenza River. some
fifteen miles 20 the west The Berlin
War Office announced tonight that Won
Bellows troops have reached the
Livenzs line and that during the pur-
suit of the Italians they had taken sew
eral thousand prisoners.
While the retreat continues from the
Dolomites and the Carnic Alps. Ca
dorns apparently has halted part Of
his army on the west bank Of the
Livenza to fight a delaying action
while the bulk of his forces made good
their retirement TO the Piave. ten miles
beyond. which the majority of military
observers believe will be the scene Of
a great Italian counter stroke to save
Venice.
A dispatch from The Associated Press
correspondent at Italian headquarters
tonight contains the first indication
that part Of Cadorna's troops have
reached the Piave and crossed it at
least in one place. The dispatch con-
tains the following statement: "A
monster gun nearly broke through a
bridge across the. Piave River"
It is probable this means that
Cadorna's heavy artillery already is be-
ing brought into place behind the
Piaye. while the main army is still
further to the east, behind the LivenSa.
The correspondent also reports that the
Teutons are being seriously harassed in
their pursuit by Italian rear guards,
airplanes and dirigibles and that the
British batteries have been withdrawn
intact after terrible experiences.
All reports indicate that in the lat
est retreat there has been no such
disorganization in the italian ranks as
characterized the withdrawal from the
Isonzo. This undoubtedly is due, in
part to the fact, revealed by General
Maurice. British Director of Military
Operations. here, to-day, that Cadorna
decided only a delaying action was pos
sble behind the Tagliamento and made
all plans for a further retirement even
before his troops reached the Taglia-
mento.
Maurice Calls Retreat Disaster
In regard to the strength of the Aus
tro-German forces in Italy General
Maurice, who returned to-day from
Rome, declared that not at any time
have the Germans had 100000 men
there, nor anything approaching that
number. Neither has Mackensen had
any part in the operations, he asserted.
disaster is the only word appli-
cable TO the Italian situation" he de-
clared, "but the situation cannot be
improved by the exaggerated accounts
appearing in the press. The German
attack was not surprise. Cadorna
knew il was coming, and where and
when He issued, in fact, a communi-
cation to his troops ordering them 70
prepare 10 meet il"
Regarding the German claims Of the
capture of 100000 prisoners and 1900
guns, General Maurice said: "Undoubt-
edly the Germans have counted the
civil population in the invaded country,
as we'll as the soldiers taken. As TO
guns, the Italians had greater number
of trench mortars on their front than
any other army, and probably all Of
these have been included in the German
totals"
That Cadornas real stand against
the invaders will be based on line
taking in the upper Brenta and the
lower Piave is the consensus OF opin-
ion in military circles here, although
some critics contend that the defensive
will rest on the historical qusdrl-
lateral formed by Mantua, Verona,
Peschera and Dugano. All agree that
the counter blow cannot be delivered
until strong British and French rein
forcements reach Cadorna, even II II
becomes necessary TO surrender Venice
and the whole of Venetis.
A semi-official statement issued IN
Rome yesterday sums up the military
and political situation as follows:
"The military situation, although
difficult. is being held in hand, whil.
the political situation is excellent. All
the living forces of the nation, without
the least discouragement, are united
for the attainment Of the supreme aim,
remaining at the side of the Allies and
repulsing the threats and cajoleries Of