The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1917-09-11
MASS|NG TROOPS IN
DEFENSE OF TR|EST
RENEW THEIR ATTACKS
AGAINST THE ENEMY.
Verdun Is Again Developing In
to Chief Center of Interest
on Franco Belgian Line.

LlVOnla since the retreat from the
Riga region under Won Hinden-
burg's pressure, now is beginning to
define itself. The retrograde move
ment appears to have been definite
ly halted in some sectors. at least.
where the Russians are digging in
and evidently preparing to make
stand II attacked.
Berlin's report reveals this state
OF afairs more clearly than Petro-
grads. Judging from the state
ments the Russian line extends west
of Kokenhausen, on the Dvina,
about IL miles east of Friedrich
stadt and approximately 55 miles
southwest of Riga, northwest
through the town of Hending, IL
miles west of Verdun, and on the
coast of the Gulf of Riga. Thus
the front northwest of Dvinsk in
stead of curving sharply to the west
just beyond Jacobstadt, as it did to
take in the Riga district, now leaves
the Dvina there and continues on
almost a straight line to the coast.
On both thei German and Russian
sides opinion seems to prevail that
the new German invasion will not
proceed much further this fall. The
approach of the cold and wet season
initiates against a real push toward
Petrograd at present, it is held, even
IL Won Hindenburg had the men to
spare for the difficult task.
Resistance Desperate.
On the Austro-Italian front Gen
eral Cadorna seems to be meeting
with resistance even more desper-
ate than before in his drive toward
Triest An Austrian report, the date
OF which is uncertain, claims a de-
cided reverse for the Italians IN
their effort to hold the ground won
In the Carso region where Austria's
best troops are massed for protec-
tion OF her seaport. The driving OF
the Italians from the vincinity of
Monte San Gabrielle, northeast of
Gorilla, is also claimed.
There has been no hint of such
u
past day or two and the Austrian
statement possibly refers to ground
admittedly lost temporarily by the
Italians few days ago in both of
these sectors. The tone in the re-
cent Italian statements has been
confident, especially as regards the
fighting in the San Gabrielle region
where an Italian victory Virtually
was predicted. 1t is conceded, how
ever. that the Italian troops are en-
gagged in an extraordinary severe
struggle with tremendous obstacles
to overcome before any success
they win can be said to have become
decisive.
French Hammer Away.
On the Franco-Belgian front Yer
dun seems again to be developing in
to the chief center of interest. Ber-
lin, at least, indicates a serious ef-
fort by the French to renew their
successes in this battle-scarred area.
The French launched an attack on
a wide front Friday night, centering
their effort east of the Meuse be-
tween Samogneux and the Beua-
mont ntVachersuville road. says the
German war Office, which claims a
repulse inflicted upon General Pc
tain. Saturday morning, however.
after drumfre the attack was re-
newed, the front OF the drive ap-
parently being extended as far to
the east as Bezonvaux, the point on
which the French right flank hinged
In the recent successful offensive.
In none of the other theatres has
there been action Of wide import
ance, so far as the current reports
reveals.
Secretary of State Lansing in
Washington made public today cop
les OF official dispatches sent by the
German charge in Beunos Ayres
through the Swedish legation in
Argentina to the Berlin foreign of
fee. which reveal that information
thus was transmitted to Berlin re-
garding the sailing of merchant ves-
sells and. directions given for their
destruction by submarines. The
communications. 1t is announced,
were in cipher and were sent by the
swediah legation as It's own.