Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-22
GIANTS MEET
AT PIAvE;;B BIG
CRISIS NEARS
Italians Meet Enemy Shock
From Mass Attacks
Hurled.

Rome, Nov. 22.-The
Austro-Germans invading
northern Italy yesterday
reached a few of the Ital-
ian outstanding positions
of the Italian advanced
lines on Monte Fontana
Secca, but elsewhere the
Teutons were repulsed,
the war Office announced
today.
italian Army Headquarters.
Wednesday, Nov. 81, (By the As
ISOLATED press..-The greatest
mass attack which the enemy has
made is in progress ,iicng the up
per Piave river al the peint whcrc
it lends to the northeast into fhe
Beiluno Alps.
As the action proceeds the en-
envy is bringing forward fresh
masses OF his reserves, including
picked troops OF the Prussian
guard, besides some of the best
German troops drawn from fhe
western and Russian fronts.
He also has 10000 mountaineers
from lower Hungary, troops which
are noted for their brutal yandal-
ism.
The battle in the mountainous re-
gion In the north between the Pave
and Brenta rivers Is nearing its cul-
mination. It centers at Monte Grappa
and has become struggle of giants.
1t is now clear that notwithstand-
ing the great numbers OF troops en-
ployed by the enemy and his advan-
tages in terrain, he IS able to advance
being assisted by the element of sur
prise. by treason and other circum-
stances, which favored him at first.
Even IL the Italians should be
obliged to abandon the Piave river
line they may be expected to fall back
more slowly and offer still more
tenacious opposition;
The action through the day has
shifted westward from Monte Tomba
and Monte Monfenera to the slopes OF
Monte Pertica, where the enemy
rushes have been checked. The Itai-
ian positions remain substantially I'M
changed In the region OF None
Grappa, which dominates the whole
range of lower hills.
The monitor fleet which Is cooperat.
ing with the Italian fleets of the
mouth of the Piaye is Smelling heavily
the enemy positions menacing Venice
U. S. Red Cross Passes.
A number of American Red Cross
ambuiances passed through head
quarters today toward the Piave front
The men and cars appeared to be IL
good condition.
Italian aviators who have flown ovel
the invaded districts of Venetia say
they saw lines of the civilian popula
ton under guard, headed for Austria
William Marconi, inventor OF tn,
wireless, has arrived at headquarter.
and taken place on the staff Of Gen
erai Diaz, the commanders n-chief.
The action Gibbs and flows arount
the slopes of three low mountains jus
west of the riyer-Monte Tomba
Monte Monfenera and Monte Cornella
Monte Monfenera is just on the edge
Of the river and it is here that somi
of the most desperate fighting hes oc
Cured It is the key to the situation
as at that point the river turns into tn,
Venetian plains and the whole battl'
hinges on control of the river passag,
leading to the plains.
Started Five Days Ago.
The first assaults began five day
ago when Won Beulow's Germans oil
the lower Piaye were swung north
ward for this supreme blow. Attack
have intensified steadily each day the
/ reached the maximum Beginning wit
artillery preparation the Austro
German infantry advances came i
successive waves, first at the north
ernmost mountain, cornella. where tn
Como brigade of Italians held the lin
until crowded back by greatly superio
numbers. The enemy then took pc
Continued on Page Five)