The Washington herald., 1917-11-23
ITALY REMAINS
OPTIMISTIC IN
Time OF TRIAL
Lloyd Georges Victory and
Return of Clemenceau to
French Cabinet Cause.
.DIAZ'S TROOPS BATTLE
BRAVELY TO HALT FOE
Accounts of Huns Efforts
to Carry Monte Tomba
Reach Here.

Detailed accounts of the tremendous
efforts of the Austro-Gernfans to
carry Monte :Tomba. key of the
Italian defense on the Piave, reached
here yesterday.
The dispatches describe the fighting
which led up to the forced evacua-
ton by the Italians of their positions
on Monte Cornella. which dominates
the lateral accesses to Monte Tomba.
Other official reports from Rome
declare that the magnificent resis-
tance Of the Italian army from the
Trentino to the Adriatic, the return
of Ciemenceau to the presidency OF
the French cabinet and the victory
Of Lloyd George over his political
enemies have produced a feeling OF
great optimism in Italy.
Concerning the fighting around
Monte Temba, the Official accounts
say:
1T is hardly possible even now to
reconstrue the general development of
the stupendous battle which has been
raging for the last five days from
the mouth of the Piave to Monte
AOAhbas
Italians Outnumbered.
.on the evening OF the 18th the
.4ustro-Germ6ns attacked with over
whelming forces the northern slope
Of Monte Cornella. which stands be-
tween the Piave and the Ornigo tor
rent. and dominates the villages of
Quero and Alamo and the lateral ac-
cesses to Monte Tomba.
THE attack was preceded by in
tense artillery fire. Large concen-
trations of enemy troops had been OBJ
served in the vicinity of Monte Quero.
Evidently the enemy intended to
launch an assault in mass. operating
from the adjacent hills toward the
slopes leading to Fener.
The pass was entrusted to some
units Of the famous Como brigade,
who stood magnificently the shock
of the assault and in vigorous
counter attack repelled the enemy,
capturing prisoners and machine
guns
"At o'clock the battle seemed to
be over. but an hour later the enemy
repeated 'his attacks with redoubled
fury and attempted to cross the Piave
with barges. The fighting continued
for several hours in the darkness.
Finally, at midnight. the enemy was
obliged to desist from further at
tacks and retired after having suf-
fered staggering losses.
THE following day the enemy de-
livered sixteen attacks in three diff
ferent directions between and s
o'clock in the evening. 1t was the
manifest intention of the Austro-Ger-
mans to divert the attention of our
troops, feel the strength of the vari-
Gus sectors, and take some position
by surprise
Heroic Resistance.
THE dense obscurity. the difficulty
Of the ground and the numerical su-
periority Of the enemy were extremIy
favorable to the operations of thu
invaders. The defenders, after heroic
resistance. were compelled to retire
at midnight, leaving in the hands of
the enemy the much contested
heights around Monte Cornella'
Commenting on the two principal
politico-military developments of the
week, the restoration of Clemenceau
and the victory Of Lloyd George,
semi-official dispatches from Rome
soy lheSc ldNOEdOlS eleHlentS are IN
terpreted in Italy as proof of the
energy and determination of the en-
tire Entente and as the seal of the
complete unity which will lead the
allies to victory"
They are also heralded as guafan-
teeing an all-winter campaign, accord
ing to. these dispatches, which go on:
The statements made by .Semen-
ceau that the winter campaigH of the
Entente will be carried on in Italy was
received in Italy with general en-
thusiasm."
italian press comment received here
observes that Clemenceau's remarks
with regard to the determination of
France to nullify German propaganda
and war sabotage may be applied to
Italy as well. since this is also part of
our program in the war"