Omaha daily bee., 1917-10-30

The number of prisoners is increas-
ing. The Italian front is yielding
north of the broad sector which was
pierced in the Teutonic attack. the
weakening extending as far as
Ploecken pass.
The entire Italian Isonzo front has
collapsed. The second Italian army
is retreating towards the Tagliamento.
All the roads are covered with col
umns in disorderly retreat, the crowds,
comprising both soldiers and civilians.
The Austro- German forces on the
Isonzo front are commanded by Gen
eral Otto Won Below, it is announced.
The Austro- German troops invad-
ing northern Italy are standing before
Udine, where the Italian headquar-
ters have been located, according to
today's army headquarters announce
ment.
(Bs Associated Prcss.)
Italy's soldiers have failed to check
the onrush Of the Austro- Germans
and the entire line ofathe' IsohzoAis
threatened with annihilation. Sweep
ing down from the mountains into
the plains Of Friuli, the invaders have
captured Cividale and Gorilla, 100000
prisoners, and 700 guns.
Great Britain and France are re-
ported to be taking steps to give the
shattered Italian army prompt and
full support. What form this aid will
take has not been disclosed. The
French cabinet met last night to de-
eide upon the manner of co-opera-
ton on the Italian front.
Where General Cadorna will make
a stand is not yet clear, but two po-
|sitions capable of defense are avail
able. The Germans have reached the
lowlands and are but nine miles fror,
Udine, cadorna's general headquar-
ters. The railroad running north and
south through Udine might make
defensive line, but the Tagliamento
river, 1s miles west of Udine, prob
ably would offer stronger defense.
LOSS OF GORIZIA SERIOUS.
The fall of Gorilla is serious
menace to the Italian troops holding
the, Carso line southwark to the head
Of the Adriatic, but General Cadorra
still would be able to offer stout re-
sistance on line running through
Tolmezzo, Gemona, pdiR, Buttrio
and Gradisca. The CAPTURE of Grad.
isca by the Teutons, However, would
make retreat from the Carso ineti-
table and also somewhat of diff
Guilty. The line of the Tagliamento
river, it appears, would give the Ital-
sians the better natural position from
which to hold the Germans from the
Venetian plains and the overrunning
of northern Italy.
Apparently Field Marshal Won
Mackenseh is endeavoring to drive a
wedge between the armies on the
Carso front and those in the noun
tains northwest of Udne. Some of
the advanced Italian positions in the
Carnic Alps probably have been
abandoned already If this should
prove true, the TagEamento river
seems to offer General Cadorna lis
first defensive line, unless his armies
stifen greatly and hold the invaders
within a few miles of their present
position. !
Allies Advance in West. =
Operations carried out by the Bel
gianS and French looking toward the
elimination of Houtholst forest, north
Of Yprcs, are progressing favorablH
The entire Merckcn peninsula, south
of DiXmude, has been captured by
allied troops, who have also taken
Mercken and several other villages
west of the forest. The British hold
the southern side of the forest and a
continuation of the Belgo-French ad-
vance would make the German posi-
| ton untenable.
A German retirement between
Wrncton and Dixmude to straighten
out the line and eliminate the Ypres
salient is not unlocked for in German
military circles One leading German
critic, Major Moraht, says the front is
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