Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-26
ITALIANS RETAKE
LOST POSITIONS
IN RAGING BATTLE
Menace to Venice Believed
Removed, but Another
Thrust Is Expected.
UNUSUALLY MILD WEATHER
GREAT AID TO INVADERS
Facilitates Shifting of Troops to
Franzela Valley, Mountain
Gus Region in North.
ALLIES TAKE THE INITIATIVE
Prepare for Untoward Event, and
AirpIane Bombs Seriously
Damage Mannheim.
UNUSUALLY MILD WEATHER
GREAT AID TO INVADERS
ALLIES TAKE THE INITIATIVE
Prepare for Untoward Event, and
Airplane Bombs Seriously
Damage Mannheim.

Associated
In italy the battle Is still raging on
the fiave front. The Italians announce
that they have recaptured the positions
they had lost the previous day on the
Asiaso plateau. Berlin reports. how
ever, tend to minimize the setback
ard lay stress on the rcpulse Of Ital-
ian counterattacks against .no positions
newly won by the Germans and
thrust at Monte Pertica. The Germans
report the capture of 5000 Italians in
engagements around Col del Rosso
True to their tactics. the 4Austro-
German forces will probably direct an
other and greater thrust at a different
point. as would appear from the shift
ing OF large forces to the F'ranze!a
Valley and the mountainous region to
the north. The menace to Venice seems.
however. to have been removed for tho
time being.
The Associated Press correspondent at
| Italian headquarters in Northern italy
reports most unusual weather condI-
tions in this war thcater with little
snow and exceedingly mild temrera-
turcs-condtions which are greatly
aiding the .AuStro- German troops in
their operations, the shifting OF troops
and the forwarding of supplies.
The Bo!shcvill commander in chief
Ensign krylenko. reports the transfer
OF large numbers OF German troops to
the western front and the southwestern
Russian front.
CIVIL WAR IN RUSSIA
SEEMS TO BE SPREADING
Civil war in Russia seems TO be
3
the Eolshcviki and the central powers
apparently are not proceeding smooth
ly. Time gained by the Germans In the
negotiations would mean so much more
time for the shifting of troops. now
being carried out with the greatest
speed possible.
The Germans have refused to some
of their Socialist leaders permission to
so 10 Stockholm on another interso-
cialistic discussion. Tho Eolshevilii
arc reported to be incensed over this
decision. and in tho opinion o. Boil
shevil< leaders, the German official
delegation should go to Stockholm in
stead
y Bolshevik manifesto TO the Rus
sian workmen declares that the prep
aration of military equipment must be
stopped, and that their energies must
be devoted to the production OF peace
supplies.
Increased cannonading in the region Of
Vcrdun. especially around Douaumont.
the Chaumc wood and the Caurieres
woods. which year ago were the
thcatcrs OF some Of the fiercest en-
counters in the war. indicates appa-
rently the intention OF the Germans to
keep the French forces in this sector
we'll occupied. or might even mean a
renewed effort to break through at
this vital point.
The allies, however. are evidently
making ready for an untoward event.
and have taken the initiative In other
directions. a British air squadron has
successfully bombed the city of Mann
he I'M, the great Rhine commercial cen
ter and one OF the most important bases
for tho rcvictualing Of the Germans
on the western front. Numerous fires
were started in this city, a ton OF
bombs being dropped. The British
squadron had numerous combats with
German airplancs In this expedition.
and one OF the British machines was
forced to make landing.