Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-05
BIG FIGHT TO
START;ITALY
FORCE READY
Enemy Move is Warning
Mass Attack is Near
Climax.

Rome, Dec. 5.-Enemy
forces have begun an at
tack on the Italian lines on
the Asiago plateau, the
war Office announced to-
day. The only gains
achieved in the attack
were some positions, the
loss of which has not i'm
paired the Italian defen-
sive line.
The Italians withdrew
from some of the more ad-
vanced positions of their
lines between Tonderoear
and Monte Badenocche,
northeast of Asiago.
italian army headquarters in
northern Italy, Tuesday, Dec. a.
by Associated Press Great
forces Of men aud guns have been
maSsed by the Austrians and Ger.
mans in The AsiagO section, ac-
cording 10 reports reaching here
today and resumption of the offen-
Siye is expected. The reports in.
dicate that the enemy Is employ
ing 10 divisions Of troops.
An exceptionally heavy artillery
bombardment from the enemy posi-
tons around Asiago last night ant
through the early hours today appear.
10 foreshadow the long expected re
sumption of the heavy enemy offensiv,
from the north. The cannonade wa
o. Extreme violence, the enemy usinl
as3yy as well as middle calibre guns.
The first violent eruption begal
early last night. There was a lull to
ward midnight and then 1t was re
sumed with added intensity at o'clocl
this morning, lasting until 8. Heay.
shells were rained on the whole rang
Of Italian positions and were concen
jra,ed particularly on the position
supposed to shield Italian batteries.
Prelude TO Infantry Attack.
The violence of the artillery actor
left little doubt that It was a prelud
TO infantry advances in force whereof
Field Marshal Conrad Won Hoetzen
d0ri who is directing the Austria,
forces In this sector. hopes to realiz
his project of pressing down the As
tico valley leading to Vicenza and tn
open plain.
The latest reports show that the in
tense bombardment continues, The in
diCa'.ons are that this is somethin
more than a demonstration or feint an
signals a new and strong offensive.
Berlin Claims Hills.
Berlin. Dec ., via London Aus
iro-German forces yesterday capture
some hin positions in the Settle Con
uni ON the mountainous front in north
eru Italy, the wal office announced tC
day The text of the statement reads
Troops of Field Marshal Conrad Vo
Hoe.zeHdOrf have taken from the tia
ians some hill positions in the Set
tomuui."
Artillery Battle Near Mouse.
Paris. Dec. Eight German ali
planes were brought down on Monda
hy French ayiators. the war office az
nomces. Active artillery fighting is
progress on the Nerdun front east
the Meuse The statement follows;
Enemy raids in the sector
C-aUune and north of Sapigneul, wei
without result We penetrated a &c
man trench east Of Rheims al
brought back prisoners. The artillel
was engaged in rather spirited actor
on the right bank of the Meuse. Els
where the night was calm.
Enemy ayiators last night Dor
harded the region north of Name
Three persons were wounded. [
Monday two German airplanes we
brought down by our pilots and S
others were compelled to land with
the enemy lines"
On the English Front.
London. Dec. Sin addition TO u
Customary artillery activity on BIO
sides on the battle fronts says today
war Office announcement, there
nothing OF particular interest to r
Bort