Arizona republican., 1917-11-16
ITALIANS HOLD ENEMY IN
 CHECK FROM LAKE CARDA
 ALONG PIAVE TO ADRIATIC
Republican A. p. Leased Wirel


 With the Russian situation still obscured by reason of the fact that no direct advices are being received from Petrograd or Moscow, the Ital- ian situation remains of transcend ent interest in the news of the world war.
 Everywhere along the battle front Lake Garda eastward, and thence southward along the Piave river to the Adriatic sea, the Italians are holding the enemy in check, except in the hilly region in the vicinity of the Asiago plateau, where additional gains have been made by the in- vaders. The new advances by the Teutonic allies do not indicate that points of strategic value have been won, but that the Italians on va rious sectors have given ground be- fore superior numbers and have strengthened out and lessened the length of their front.
 In the hills north of the Venetian plain, General DiaZ, the new com- manderin- chief of the Italians, has withdrawn his advanced posts south of Monte Tomatico.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 German and Austro- Hungarian forces are adding strength to their attacks, doubtless hoping to drive through the highland country to the plains of Venetia before the expected arrival of British and French reinforce ments.
 Notwithstanding the arduous re- treat from tho Italians evidently have been able to reinforce their northern line suffi- ciently to give battle to the enemy in such strength as to prevent a precipitate invasion of the lowlands, where undoubtedly it is the ambition Of the enemy to turn the flank of the defenders and force a withdrawal of their line still further westward.
 Along the Piave from the region of Feltre to the Adriatic the invaders at numerous points have endeavored to make new crossings of the river, but everywhere they have been thwarted. Those already on the west bank of the river are being held to their original positions by artillery and rifle.
 Near Benson the positions of the enemy gradually are being en- croached upon, while near the mouth Of the river at Grisolera the invaders in the swampy lowlands constantly are under a vigorous shell and rifle fire
 Varied reports are still coming through concerning the situation in Russia but out of the maze it has been impossible to disentangle one statement that may be considered trustworthy. One report has Petro- grad in flames and another has o,00O persons killed in the streets of Mos- COW during the fighting between the kerensky and Bolsheviki factions Still another is to the effect that a coalition government has been formed in Moscow with members of the Bolsheviki holding portfolios in it. | Other unconfirmed reports are to the effect that anarchy reigns in Iliev and other Russian cities and that excesses against the Jews are beine committed
 Comparative quiet still prevail. along the western front in France anC 1 Belgium.
 | Georges Clemenceau, one of France most eminent public men and forme premier, will form a new French min istry.
 Correspondent Visits Front ITALIAN HEADQUARTERS IN NORTHERN ITALY, Wednesday Nov. 14.-By the Associated Press)- Under the escort of staff officer iron headquarters, the correspondent toda