Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-16
ITALIAN FRONT
. HOLDING FIRMLY
AGAINST GERMANS
From Lake Garda to Adri-
attic Defenders Present
Unbroken Array.
WITHDRAWALS ON SECTORS
TEND TO STRAIGHTEN LINES
Reinforcement of Northern De-
fenses Prevent Invasion
Of Lowlands.
VARIED REPORTS FROM RUSSIA
Many Rumors Of Anarchy and jew.
ish OppresSlon-To Form New
French Ministry.
WITHDRAWALS ON SECTORS
TEND TO STRAIGHTEN LINES
VARIED REPORTS FROM RUSSIA
lRy Associated pres,.l


With the Russian situation still OBJ.
scure by reason of the fact that no
direct advices arc being received from
Petrograd or Moscow. the Italian sit
uation remains of transcendent interest
In the news of the world war.
Everywhere along the battle front
from Lake Garda eastward, and thence
southwark along the Piave River to tho
Adriatic Sea, the Italians are holding
the enemy i'll check, except in the hiliy
region in the vicinity of the Asiago
plateau. where additional gains have
been made by the invaders. The new
advances by the Teutonic allies. as OBJ
served on the war maps. do not ndi-
cate that points of extremely great
strategic value have been won, hut
rather that the Italians on various Sec
tors have given ground before superior
numbers. and at tho same time havo
Strengthened out and lessencd the
length Of their front.
In the hills north of the Venetian
plain. General Diaz, the new COM
mander-in in chief of the Italians, has
withdrawn his advanced posts south
Of Monte Tomatico On the Asiago
plateau and thence eastward to where
the battle front meets the upper
reaches OF the Piave River. the Ger
man and Austro- o-Hungarian forces are
adding strength to their attacks. doubt
less hoping to drive through the high
land country to the plains of vcnetia
before the expected arrival of British
and French endorsements becomci
a fact
ITALIANS RE-ENFoRCE
THEIR NORTHERN LINES
notwithstanding the arduous retreat
from the IsonZo westward. the Italians
evidently have been able to re-enforce
their northern line sufficiently to give
battle TO the enemy in such strength as
TO prevent a precipitate invasion OF
the lowlands, whcre undoubtedly 1t 10
the ambition OF the enemy TO turn the
flank OF tho defenders and force q
withdrawal of their line still farther
westward.
Along the Piave from tho region OF
Fcltre to the Adriatic the invaders at
numerous points have endeavored to
make new crossings OF the river, but
everywhere they have been thwarted.
Those who already are on the west
bank OF the river are being hard held
to their original positions, the artillery
and rife fire OF tho Italians keeping
them in check.
Near ZaIson the positions OF the
enemy gradually are being cucroached
upon. while near the mouth Of the
river at Grisolera the Invaders in the
swampy lowlands constantly arc under
4 vigorous she'll and rifle fire
Varied reports are still coming
through concerning the situation in
Russia. but out OF tie maze it has been
impossible to disentangle one state
ment that may be considered trust-
worthy. One report has Petrograd In
Hamcs. and another has 2.ouO persons
killed In the streets Of Moscow during
the lighting betwee.i the EerensNy and
Bolshevlki factions. Still another Is
to the effect that coalition govern
ment has been formed In Moscow. with
members OF tie Bolshevilki holding
portfolios in it. Other unconfrmed
reports are to the effect that anarchy
reiGns in kiev and uther Russian cities.
and that cxcesses against the Jews
are being committed. Comparative
quiet prevails alo.s rhc western front
in France and Belgium.
Georges Clemenceau. one OF Frances
most eminent public men and for-
mer Premier. will form a new French
ministry.