Evening star., 1917-12-05
OPEN new
BIG DRIVE ON ITALY
Teutons Reported to Have As
sembIed Ten Divisions on !.
Asiago Front.
ALLIED FLlERs IN ITALY

ROME, December s-Enemy
forces have begun an attack on
the Italian lines on the Asiago
plateau, the war Office announced
today. The only gains achieved
in the attack were some posi-
tions the loss of which, has mot
impaired the Italian defensive
line.
By the Associated Presa
ITALIAN ARMY HEADQUARTERS
IN NORTHERN ITALY, Tussday. DE-
cember Great forces of men and
guns have been massed by the Austrf-
ans and Germans in the Asiago section
according to reports reaching here to-
night. and resumption, of the offensive
Is expected The reports indicate that
the enemy is employing ten divisions Of
troops.
German Fire Is Violent. !.
By the Associated Press.
ITALIAN H e A D q U A r T E r 9 IN
NORTHERN ITALY, Tuesday, Dscsn-
Der 4-An exceptionally heavy artii-
lery bombardment from the enemy po.
sitions around Asfago last night ana
through the early hours today appears
to foreshadow the long-expected re-
sumption Of the heavy ensmy offensive
extreme violence. the enemy using
heavy as we'll as middle, calioSr 6unA
The first violent eruption began 1eS1Y
last night. There was full t0WASd
midnight, and then IL was .reoumeo
morning. lasting until .. Heavy ehANs
were rained on the whole sAneo ~
italian positions and were concentfnted
particularly on the locations suppoeeo
TO shield Italian batteries.
The violence Of the artillery action
left little doubt that II was prslude
to infantry advances in force, whefeey
Field Marshal Conrad Won Hoet1enoofI,
who is directing the Austrian fofcec N
of pressing down the Astico valley
leading to vicenxa and the open plain.
The latest reports show that the IN.
tense bombardment confinues Tns IN.
more than a demonstration or fetnt.
and signals new and strong OFFENSIVE.
Allied Fliers at Front.
By the Associated Press.
WITH THE FRENCH ARMY m
ITALY. December 4.--Among the troops
and units that have arrived In Hay
is a large group OF aviators, who are
impatiently waiting to get into action-
The British have sent large conttn-
gent Of fiiers, half Of whom are young
Canadians and Americana. who nave
been doing scout work in Flanders and
The squadron which expects to be
given work at the front very soon 10
italians. while awaiting. orders the
diers are keeping themselves IN trim
and the natives in fascinated delight
by practicfng oyer the town whore theg
are billeted- There y scarcely an nous our
generally four or more motors is heard
above the town and every public square
Is filled with crowds casing upward -
the young avfators oank and siide ana
The British aviators apparently are
much younger than their French com-
rades. whose numerous decorations at
test their long experience Hoth
ed men who have had careful training
in fighting the Germans In the air. The
British squadron has many young men
who won commissions by brave con-
duct on the front in France and who
were transferred to the aerial service
from the infantry. cavalry ana other
The fiiers are curious to know what
few of them have ever flown over
mountainous country. As they VIII have
to do here. They admit 1t Will be test
to put them on their mettie since emsr.
gency landings, generally feasible in
France, are almost out Of the question
here. They anticipate. howsver, that
they will not have to face superior
numbers Of enemy aviators. AZ 1t is not
believed the Austro-0ermans Will Be
able to maintain q numerical advaAe
tage here.
Americans Help Entertain
The Canadians and Americans night
~ entertain their comrades and crowds
of curious Italians by holding song fee-
tivals at their hotel. American songs
who has spent several years In Eng
land and America. as the pianist. The
piano f1aunts its German origin with
the name plate. "Zimmefmanp. Lelp.
Gig" while its strings echo American
one-steps and ragtime.
and British in Italy has been the rapid
drop back to normal OF Franco italian
exchange. which went up when the
Austro-German offensive was in the
full flush Of its success. At that time
100 francs bought 1so italian lire. but
number Of francs now buy lss lire and
exchange daily is approaching par. >.
Hill Positions Taken.
BERLIN, December s. via London
Austro-German forces yesterday oap-
tured some hill positions in the Settle
Comunt, on the mountainous front tn
northern Italy, the war ONCE announced
today.
EYruANGE 0E GIFTS BEGINS.