Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-11-29
'They Cannot Pass" Is View
of U. S. Military Author
ity, Who Cites Reasons.
GEN, SCRIVEN GUEST OF
KING VICTOR EMMANUEL
Series of Reports on Battle Situation
Will Be Sent to q. S. Government.
Recent Fighting Severe.
BY the Associated Press.

nCCCuI G1SAGAuS SSsSAS'
by the Associated Press.
ITALIAN HEADQUARTERS IN
NORTHERN ITALY, Wednesday, No
vember 2s-Brig. Gen. Scriven Of the
United States Army, accompanied by an
aid and the American military attache
at Rome, has arrived at headquarters to
study the Italian situation and make q
series of reports to the American gov
| ernment. Maj. G. NJ. P. Murphy, head
Of the American Rcd Cross in Europe,
also is hero to coordinate the work of
his organization. Gen. Scriven was re-
ceived by King Victor Emmanuel, who
invited him to dinner, where the situa-
ton was discussed at length.
Reports from the front show that the
enemy is still persistent, but that little
is left Of his former vigor Of attack
and he Is resorting to the old device Of
cunning.
Germans Post Placards.
The Germans have posted placards in
italian, reading: italians, we have
crossed the defenses OF the Pfave. Your
defense is useless. Let US pass with
out further bloodshed- We shall be in
Vicenza in three days"
In reply to this the italian soldiers
posted a placard in German reading:
|
American View Of Situation.
An eminent American military au-
while the danger is not yet over.
nevertheless It seems to me from a
military viewpoint that the enemy can
binsd Italian. British and French
Nis chief military reason for this view
- that. the enemy no longer has his
the rear, as the winter Is breaking his
cofninhfticafions, IN tho north and In
terrnyting e not DESTROYING them to
must define from now on. while the
Italians and their allies have all their
communications from the west and
south open and can augment their
forces from now on
Consequently II appears to this Amer
lean az though the enemy had failed In his
main project of breaking through into the
heart Of Italy. The foregoing. in addition
to giving tho American military view
point, probably accords with other high
opinion.
Armistice Is Refused.
In tho Brenta region It was also learned
that the enemy had asked for an armistice
A. - L. AlAA ~ hall
fused by the Italians because Of the Aus
trian attitude toward a similar request a
few months ago. The Austrians had then
proposed that during the armistice the
Austrian guards armed. This was indig-
nantly refused and the present proposal
was rejected through lack of confidence
in Austrian good faith.
the cannonadin1 became very heavy, with
machine gun and rife fire and steady
succession OF aerial duels as italian and
Austrian machines few over the opposing
companisd by q line Of chasers which
strung out like a flock Of wild geese.
|" Shrapnel burst all around them. but
they got away, with a feet Of Italian
capronts after them. None Of the Ital-
ians was brought down, although one
had his engine hit. and he could be
seen winging down in curves to a near
by hilltop like an eagle seeking Its
aerie.
Snow Partly Covers Lines.
From a high point the view led out
upon Monte Monfenera and Monte
Tomba and the succession of low
mountains flanking the Piave river.
where the struggle is now centering.
On Monte Monfenera the Austrian lines
were clearly seen on one summit and
the Italian lines on another. The Ital-
ian lines were partly covered with
snow.
The rumbling Of the guns was con-
tinuous. with the crack Of Italian bat
teries in concealed shelters behind
shooting over the heads of the party.
Above these submits reared the domi-
| mating crest of Monte Grappa Is the
hnal mountain barrier before the Ve-
netian plains.
From this point the enemy's position
| seemed to be very near this plain and
its great sweep of level country lead
ing to the heart of Italy.
Compares Fighting in Mexico.
Gen. Garibaldi accompanied the
party to the extreme front line and
personally pointed out some of the
was his Alpine brigade that threw back
the Prussian guard. Three of these
| regiments of guards had been identi-
| ned. he said. as the sth. 10th and 18th.
| &0 tho SChSAdA Adu O6cIl tue CnleI OF
STAN of Madero in the Mexican war. he
was asked how the present fighting
compared with that of Mexico.
| That was much like hunting little
birds. compared with this" he replied.
| The general said his men have a
splendid morale. despite the terrific
strain upon them. and that when they
were told the French and British were
coming they begged to be allowed to
stay In their present exposed position.
But there is one thing that will
stimulate them moro than anything
| some American regiment. preferably
made up Of Italians who have taken up
residence in America. It would bring
Inspiration to the whole army"