The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-05-26
GERMANS FAIL
STOP ALLIED PUSH
British and French Tighten the
Grip on Won Hindenburg's
Boosted "Iron Line"
ITALIANS SMASH AUSTRIANS
They Have Massed Huge Forces to Hit
Enemy Vital BIow-Experts Say
Battle VIII Be Decisive Vie
tory for Entente.

London, May 24.-The second phase
of the great battles Of Arras, the Aisne
and Champagne has ended in the fail
ure of the most determined and costly
German efforts to stem the tide of
victory now setting against them. The
net result 70 Field Marshal Won Hin
denburg's supreme effort to regain the
initiative has been that the British and
French have frightened their grip on
the German line and have placed in
great peril the key positions held by
the Germans in northern France.
The customary lull which separates
all major operations In modern war
fare has come and the expectation is
that it will be broken by British
blow on a great scale against the Dro-
court-Queant line, already virtually
outt1anked. Meanwhile the usual crop
of peace rumors which marks these
lulls has made its appearance.
Reports from all kinds of sources,
unofficial, semioficial, inspired" and
the like, tell of offers from Austria to
Russia, Germany to Russia and Aus
tria and Germany to the collective en-
tente powers. The unnamed diplomats
who apparently infest Switzerland are
unusually active, but there is nothing
tangible or authentic to show what
these reports are worth.
Italians SMASHING Hard.
Rome. May 24.-The smashing often
sive Of the Italians on 36-mile front
between Tolmino and the Adriatic sea
will resolH itself into a decisive battle
according TO the view expressed BY
military experts here.
The Italians are battling for two OBJ
jectives, the first and most important
of which Is Trieste. The second is
Laibach, and IL they are able to oc-
cupy this city, they will be only 100
miles from Vienna.
Practically the entire italian army
is massed upon the Julian front,
where fierce fight Is in progress
among the mountains. 1t is estimated
that the Italians have nearly three
million men In action on this front.
The counter-drive Of the Austro-
Hungarians on the Trentino front is
being carried out with extreme vigor,
but without and decisive results.
Artillery activity has been increas-
ing along the front Of the Carrlc Alps
during the past 81 hours, indicating
a resumption of infantry operations in
that region soon.
A hot wave has struck the Italian
front and has caused considerable suf-
fering among the troops especially the
British artillerymen, who are working
the big guns that the British war Of
fee sent to this front. Not only guns
and ammunition, but a full supply Of
equipment was sent.
The devastation of the country re-
Gently taken by the Italians rivals that
of France. Playa is city Of ruins. 1t
has been under shell firepfor two years.
The Acknowledgements destroyed ev-
erything when they retired.
Germans Lose Millions.
Paris, May 24.-Since Sunday Ger
many has lost more than $4,000 men in
killed, wounded and missing in the
fighting by which the French gained
full possession of all important points
on all dominating crests of the Moron
villiers crest.
The figures are those Of headquar-
tiers. They give an adequate idea of
the full extent of the victory achieved
In the latest French double advance.
General Nivelle's men are now in COM
mand Of all important points between
Mounts Cornillet and Teton. They are,
within half a mile Of MonGvilliers it.
self.
From where the French lines are
pushing forward there Is clear way
down the valley of the ,Suippe.
The new positions were attained
after fierce fighting in an advance
simultaneously executed on both the
eastern and western extremities oftthe
Moronvilliers crest.
Three separate counter-attacks by
the Germans on positions captured ION
Monday by the French were repulsed,
according to an official statement is
sued by the French war Office. The
number of prisoners taken by the
French during the day was 1000.
British Help Italians, Report.
Geneva, May Pat was reported,
from Vienna that the British. have sent
an army Of 250,O00 to aid the Italians
In their offensive against the Austro-
Hungarians.
Amsterdam, May 24.-Thes feeling Isl
spreading throughout Germany that
fighting is over on the eaI tern front