Evening star., 1917-12-26
ITALIANS DRIVING
HARD At INVADER
ON MOUNTA|NL LINE
Regain Positions on C0ldel
R0SS0 West of Brenta.
Final Issue in Doubt.
TEUT0NS ALTERNATE
BLOWS ALONG RIVER
Berlin Records Breaking Down Of
Violent Assaults of Gen. Diaz's
Men With Heavy Losses.

On the northern italian front the
Austro- German tactics appear to be to
strike alternately at vital points on
either side of the Brenta.
Checked at Monte Asolone last week,
! the enemy has struck toward the Fren-
zela valley west of the river. After two
days of bitter fighting, the Italians have
regained possession of lost positions on
the Col del Rossc west of the river and
have attacked the Austro- German po-
sitions on Monte Pertica, east Of the
| river, but fighting goes on, the final out
come still being in doubt.
Berlin Reports Check.
BERLIN. December 2s. via London
Violent counter attacks against the
jAustro-German positions on Col Del
Rosso and neighboring heights on both
sides broke down yesterday with heavy
sued today by the German general
staff.
Italian counter attacks upon the po-
SlLIOnS taken the AuSlfO-6STtudn at"
tack Of Sunday were repulsed Monday,
as was an Italian drive at Monte
Pertica, army headquarters announced.
More than 5000 prisoners were taken
in the Col Del Rosso fighting.
German Nest West Of Piave.
BY the Associated Press.
ITALIAN ARMY HEADQUARTERS
IN NORTHERN ITALY, Tuesday, De-
irs0y har III incr y,
army corps on the Piave front took the
correspondent along the line occupied
by his corps today and pointed out the
Austro-German nest on the west bank
Of the river. which is the only foothold
he has succeeded in maintaining. The
main purpose of the Italian commander
was to carry holiday greeting to his
men in the first line trenches. but in-
cidentaliy this visit to the extreme
front gave an opportunity for the gem
why the enemy was finding himself able
to hang on.
AS the party moved forward 1t was
noted that the defenses had been high
iy organised so that any sudden rush
OF the enemy would meet tremendous
resistance. The defenses comprise a
string Of trenches fortified for defense
with nrasss of tangled wire and con-
structions after the cheval-de-frise
order. with numerous sharp projections
The general stated that the enemy
force in the Zensen curve was about
three battalions, or 1000 men. with an
exceptionally large supply OF machine
guns. Their communications were prin-
ctpally operated in the night hours The
enemy's foothold on the west bank OF the
Piave here was not regarded by the gem
eral as serious menace to the Italians,
as It was not base which could be
1t, could be cleared out at any time, he
said. but the efIort was not worth the
sacrifice 1t would require in the face Of
the machine guns. The bend was COM
1t was better. he thought, to let the enemy
sacrifice hts men In holding position
useless to him.
The general had CHEEKY word for the
men in the trenches. presenting many Of
them with holiday gifts and giving en-
couragement and praise to all. The men
We're In the best of spirits looked sturdy
and well conditioned and We're nnani-
nous In assuring their commander that
they could hold the enemy against any
further advance.
Little or No Needed Snow.
The entire mountain region, where heavy
fighting has been going on in recent
days, is having the unusual experience
| of q holiday season with green slopes
and SUBMITS and little or no snow. One
Of the generals on the front said that
every foot of snow was worth divisions
In obstructing the enemy.
This fa one of the mildest winters
we have ever had" said the major in
charge Of the weather branch Of the
high command, "and from q military
standpoint the weather conditions are
| of the highest Importance, both for our
| troops and. particularly. in their effect
on the enemy's transportation of sup
piles and troops"
Taking tho report furnished by the
high command on the weather at
| lat1 a ma ad MT he
! extreme variation in the mountains.
plains and valleys. Here at headquar-
| ters the report showed degrees above
zero Centigrade (25.6 Fahrenheit) and
| no snow, while the same report showed
! Is degrees below zero Centigrade (5 de-
| grees Fahrenheit) and seven feet OF
snow in the Ortler Alps.
| The entire area of the present fight
/ ing in the Brenta valley is free from
snow and the weather is very mild.
| This Is the valley where the Austrian
route brings supplies and troops from
Trente to the Asiago and Brenta fronts.
| Between the Brenta and the Piaye
rivers, which Is the principal region OF
the fighting. Monte Grappa which usu-
| ally has four to six feet OF snow, new
| has only from ten to twelve inches on
the northern slopes and six inches on
| the southern slopes. The temperature
| IS from 5 to IL degrees below zero
Centigrade t2s to lo.4 degrees Fahren-
| heit).
Monte AsoIone, Monte Pertica and
Monte Solarolo. where the heaviest
| fighting has occurred in the last few
days. have only a few inches of snow
| 1t varies from 8 to 5 inches and sell
dom lasts. owing to the miidness. In
the foothills there is no snow. the tenn
| perature is always above freezing
The reports show similar mild condf-
tions In the Carso and the Julian
ranges. to the east, through which the
Austrians maintain their comrnunica-
! tons with the invaded regions of east
ern Venetia- The mildEess is so pro-
nounced that the enemy is able to oper-
ate four distinct lines Of communication
leading to Gorizia, Udine and Vcnetia
/ These unusual weather conditions ars
proving an important factor In the
campaign. for while severe cold and
heavy SHOWS would hold the enemy i'm
their grip. the present mild and aIrnos,
snowless season permits operations to
proceed.
KIM Emmanuel Snnndc