Evening star., 1917-11-12
ARMIES. IN ITALY
LINE UP ON PAVE
FOR GREAT BATTLE
Teutonic EncircIing Movement
From North and East Has
Not Succeeded.
ITALIANS HAVE "DUG IN"
AND GUNS ARE IN PLACE
Despite Losses, Army Has Reached
Place Chosen for Stand With
Its Morale Unbroken.


Its Morale Unbroken.
| BY the Associated Press.
ROME, November 12.-The
Italians have resisted the enc
my everywhere on the north
ern front, along which the Aus
trians are attempting to out
flank the Italian river line, the
war Office reports. On the
plain there is brisk firing across
the Piave river.
An enemy action on the
Asiago plateau on the Trentino
front was complete failure.
BERLIN, November II, via
| London.-The Austro-German
| forces in northern Italy have
cut off 10000 retreating Italians
in the upper Piave valley, the
war Office announces. The
Italians are said to have sur
rendered.
The German statement says
the Teuton forces have ad-
| vanced from Bellune down the
River Piave and are standing
before Feltre.
f, By the Associated Press.
| ITALIAN HEADQUARTERS IN
NORTHERN ITALY, Sunday, Novem
Der 1.-THE enemy's operations on the
north and east, in an attempt at encir.
clement of the Italians, have not sue.
ceeded. The menace on the italian left
| wing also is virtually Past.
| The RECOMMENDATION of the Italian
army along the newly chosen line of de-
tense is now virtually an accomplished
fact. The troops have taken up thei1
positions in trenches, the gun emplace
ments have been made ready and the
whole vast organization is preparing fol
/ the battle that is not so far off. The
men are in good spirits, and feeling
of determination prevails in all ranks
Short and Compact Front.
! -
force in the Carnia district of north.
| ern ventia has shortened the Italian
main front, which now presents a COM
pact line extending about twenty miles
along the new river defenses to the sea
| The allies are represented on the new
front by some British batteries from
the Carso. The presence Of allied forces
is regarded as of the highest import.
ance for its moral effect on the Italiar
i troops, which thus far have borne the
entire shock, as well as for its purely
military value. England's announce.
ment that she will continue to SEND
reinforcements without delay ant
spare no effort to prevent a furthe,
| invasion Of Italy arouses the keenest
satisfaction and enthusiasm here. The
visit of Gen. Wilson, sub-chief of the
British staff, also inspired renewed
| confidence as to the intentions of the
allies.
Piave Original Selection.
1t may now be stated that the presen,
line of defense Ii the only first line
which the supreme command has evel
considered seriously. The Tagliamentc
and Livenza lines were designed merely
, to block the progress of the enemy W
to the present defenses The CORE.
spondent received this information au
thoritatively ten days ago. but wat
| then unable to divulge the location OF
| the line, for reasons dictated by mill.
| tary necessity.
Yesterdays report from Gen. Diaz. the
new commander, stated that Italiar
near guards crossed the Piave rive,
near Susegana, after destroying the
| bridges. This river should be noted
carefully. After the Tagliamento anc
the Livenza. the Piave is the first I'm.
portant stream capable of interposinE
a strong tactical position.
The upper part of the river is backed
by the slopes of the Grappa hills
Further down it has behind it the Asole
both of which are advantageous in Civ.
ing high advanced wooded points in 8
fat country. The river Is deep. wide
stony and bridgeless. Its mouth i.
twenty-five miles north of Venice
Where the precise line is cannot be
indicated further. but this gives the
essential features.
For Protection Of Venice.
For several days the gravity of the
situation for Venice has not been under.
estimated. and suitable precautionary
measures have been taken to portect this
great art center. The city preserves com.
narrative calm, while picturesque gondolas
filled with passengers and goods, take de.
parting throngs to the station. The mu.
| nicipality is affording every assistance
to those who are leaving and is allowills
3 lire daily to the needy until they arr
located elsewhere. The government il
keenly alive to the situation as regard.
the artistic treasures of the city, and
military and naval operations doubles.
would be considered secondary to savins
priceless monuments like the Campanile
the Palace of the Doges and St Mark.
from bombardment. All the chief paint
ings Of Titan and Paolo Veronese have
been removed to Florence but scores O,
great frescoes cannot be taken away.
The splendid service which the ItaI
ian cavalry performed as a rear guars
has q melancholy sequel in the death O.
Maj. Gen. Of Cavalry Rubin de Cervin
who was commanding an infantry divi
sion He fell at the head Of his troops