The Washington herald., 1917-12-06
Defeat Enemy Attacks.

A@1N"g hNNaCAh-
Violent enemy attacks around Sise-
mon and Meletta Di Gallo, however,
met sharp defeat from the REINFORCED
Italian army.
Berlin claims the capture of hill
posts, in Northern Italy. in the first
day Of renewal of the German drive.
The Italians have been ready for
resumRtion OF the German assault
for several days and this time the
invader will find the going somewhat
harder than during the recent drive.
While the present Italian line is by
no means secure against a tremen-
dous enemy assault, the stubborn
fight, which marked the repulse of
recent German onslaughts, leads to
the belief that the Italians. re-en-
forced by fresh divisions, can hold
out against the attacks of German
troops. who are undoubtedly ex-
hausted from their initial drive.
Seek 10 Force Retreat.
The immediate object Of the present
German attack in Italy is the flank
ing, not only of the Piaye but, also,
the Brenta defense lire with the pos
sibility that It will force an Italian re-
treat to the Adige River.
The present drive was heralded b.
violent artillery bombardment last
Monday night. following which strong
columns OF infantry pressed forward
in the han OF Italian shells and ma
chine gun bullets. The success of the
second German offensive means the
probable fall Of Venice.
Little perturbation has been aroused
in military circles by the new Ger
man move. for French and British
troops are near at hand to reinforce
tho Italian Bersagliers and AIpini.
should the odds against them prove
too great.
Region OF Battle.
The Settle Communl. or Seven Com
which is the scene Of the Ger
man attack. is a plateau region OF
Italy. just west Of the Brenta River |
and bordering on the Austrian TyroI, !
inhabitants OF which speak a German !
patois.
The Cambria crisis has passed. How |
ever. continued heavy fighting m this |
region is bound TO occur so long as
the weather holds out
Meanwhile the German Western |
front is being re-enforced by huge !
drafts from Russia. where Lenine and /
Trotszky are rapidly demobilizing the
Russian armies. These are the forces
which relieve Prince Rupprecht's ex-
troops that have been facing
he British fire for the last four days.I
Critical Period at Hand.
From a military standpoint. the
Jew is widespread that the critical
ime Of the war is rapidly approach
ng. and the nerves OF all will be
1ut TO a severe test. The nation
With the strongest nerves and whose
lome population. as well as the men
n the field. are ready for a tremen-
ious strain. is the power which will
'e ready for a telling blow when
he spring campaign opens.
Whether Field Marshal Haig's sa-
lent on the West front will remain
Inaltered in the face OF the German
lrives Of the last few days depends
argely on whether he considers il
'ood policy to fight for the positions
which he now holds. Unless he is
10 sacrifice many men for
he sake of the positions, as he did
n the Ypres salient. a slight modi-
cation of the lines would seem like.
T. as Gen. Maurice pointed out in
oday's talk.
Infantry Not Called Upon.
The artillery fire in this sector con-
lnues intense, although the infantry
as not been called for a fresh ef-
ort except in merely local actions
etwen lnchy. Boulon and South d,
isrcoing. Behind the enemy lines
considerable tro-ys movements are
eported BY British observers and
ONE Of these have been broken I'd
y the heavy British guns.
The East and Cambria fronts will
ear watching in the next few days.
here is good deal OF uncertainty
bout the situations in these sectors
'hich must be cleared before any
ehnite statement can be made as
the results so far achieved. .
1t is apparent though that the
lolent German attacks have spent '
on fruitleSs attempts to J
reak through.