New-York tribune., 1917-11-09
Cross Another River in
Pursuit of Cadorna's
Army
2,1OO Square Miles
Held by Invaders
Prisoners Taken by Below
Total 25O,O00; Guns,
1900

LONDON. Nov. s.-German forces,
continuing their pursuit Of the Italians
westward from the Taglismento, have
crossed the Livenza River. Berlin Of
fcially reports tonight. This means
hat Cadorna probably will make no
attempt TO hold the Livenza line, even
temporarily. Rome officially an
nounces to-day that all the larger
units Of the Italian army have con-
,inued their withdrawal toward the
piaye without interruption from the
enemy.
Meanwhile, on the upper reaches of
the Tagliamento, the 'Austro-German
forces have cut off the retreat of the
small Italian units still holding out
between Tolmezzo and Gemona and in
the mountain regions TO the west, and
have captured 1900 more prisoners.
including sn Italian general. and
eighty more guns. This brings the
total captures of the invaders TO
100000 prisoners and $500 guns-al-
though the Germans are known to
count civilians among their captives
and TO include guns and trench NOR
tars Of small ealibre in their figures
2.1OO Square Miles Given Up
IT, all, the Italians have now given
up more than 2,10o square miles Of
their own territory. including age-long
possessions Of the Latins.
The Teutons did not gain the Livenza
line without a struggle All reports in
Gicate that the Italian rear guards,
brilliantly supported by the aerial
fcrces Of Cadorna's army, fought furi-
Gus engagements on the plains through
wh.ch the river runs, and between Wit
,oria ard the confluence of the Monti-
cana and Livenza. But in spite of these
actions and the destruction Of the
bridges over the Livenza the Teutons
were able eventually to force a crossing
Of the stream and press on westward.
Apparently these forces are only
strong advanced units, however, the
bulk Of Won Bellows army still being
back along the Tagliamento line, ac-
cording 70 The Associated Press cor
respondent at Italian headquarters, who
declares that no battle in force has yet
occurred. This is borne out by the
Italian official statement that Cadorna's
fiers are still actively bombsrding the
INVADERS troop formations along the
Taglismento, bringing down five enemy
machines yesterday.
In the Carnic Alps and the Dolo-
mites, where the retreat Of the Italian
left wing has had TO be carried out
with far greater speed thaD the re-
tirement further 70 the south. the Aus
tro-Germans have succeeded TO a GER
.ain extent in breaking down the re-
sistance Of the rearguards, thereby i'm
perilling the main bodies Of troops.
This accounts in part for the capture
81 so many prisoners during the last
.wo days and for the cutting of Of the
Italian forces along the upper Taglia-
nento. who were undoubtedly ordered
10 stay the enemy's advance here as
.ong as possible.
Main Forces Still Menaced
The danger 20 the main Italian
iorces along the northwestern front
will remain until they take up their
orepared positions behind the upper
Brenta. linking up their lines with
sose Of the centre and right wing
slong the Piave.
on the Piave line Cadorna will have
shorter front. with more railroad
ines at his command, thus shortening
ne distances 20 the important ports
and manufacturing centres and prob
.oly viii receive strong Franco British
-einforcernents in infantry and artiI-
'ery before the enemy is able TO BRING
bis greatest pressure 70 bear on that