The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-11-30
Clash Comes When Crown
Prince Pupprecht Thrusss a
'Feelera in North Flanders
HUN INVASION OF
ITALY is HALTED
Said to Be Preparing Strong
Defenses On Tagliamento
Line and Will There Wait
Coming of Spring

London. Nov. 2s.--Both on the
western and Italian fronts the day
was marked by strong artillery ac-
tons. while the deadlock In the infan-
try fighting continued.
For the first time In many months
the Germans and Belgians clashed in
the last twenty-four hours as a result
of violent thrust by troops Of Crown
Prince Rupprechts right wing in
northern Flanders, The region around
Nschoop village was the storm center
The Belgfans hit back with the ga me
bitter fury that mas characterized their
fighting since the little kingdom was
invaded. The end of the combat saw
them absolute masters OF their post
fions. Though the German attack was
OF a local character 1t suggested to
some military observers here the pos
'sthility of an intention TO feel out"
the opposing lines for possible large
scale offensive aimed at removing
Haig's menace to the German U-boat
base on the Belgian coast
or the Cambria sector today's Brit
iEh officials statement only reported
successful accommodating in which Ger
man prisoners were taken.
Can't Put Italy Out Action
Field Marshal Won Hindenhurg. re-
ported to be in personal charge Of the
Venetian campaign, has been COM
PEELED by the unexpected Italian power
of resistance to rearrange hts entIrs
plan OF action for the winter. The
hope of putting Italy out of the war
before spring" which prompted the
big offensive, has been shattered.
Italian bayonets between the riave
and Brenta rivers have '1spiked' this
Teuton design.
Substantial reports OF extensive Ger
man troop movements following the
closing Of the Swiss frontier rave rise
to the theory here tonight that, really
ing the Italian they shall not pass
Is final, the German high command is
now planning blow in the west.
Best military opinion hsre In that
the Teutons will hereafter content
themselves with the defensive in
Italy along the Piave and Trentino
fronts. 1t Is even thought possible
that they may withdraw to the Taglia-
mentc. where they are known to be
now building powerful defenses. Such
q retreat. however, after the hectic
hopes OF the German people for the
crushing OF Italy before spring, would
be severe moral blow, and to offset
II, some observers believe, linden
oofg Will try to strike counter-b alanc-
Ing blows in the west.
Has Shaken Vital lane.
General Byng's drive to within less
than three miles OF Cambria, now I'M
der British heavy artillery fire, has
seriously shaken the German vital
line on the western front, experts
argue. and. coupled with the steady
inroads made by Haig into the Ger
man defense system In Flanders, 1t
viii force a readiustment rearward..
In other words, another strategic re-
treat or powerful counter offensive.
still Dream OF veryiun.
Possession of Verdun today il as
dear dream to the Germans as Ii
Mas before In February OF last year
the first blow was struck there by the
kaiser's heir. Moreover, sentiment
tally. n come back against the
French at Verdun would be tho most
effective, perhaps the sole, price At
which the military halo OF the future
emperor could be regained. Winter
has previously made impossible sue
cessful fghting in Flanders or the Pi-
cardy At Verdun. or in the Cham
payne, where the ground for tn.
greater part OF the winter months Is
hard. conditions are more favorable.