Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-11-23
GREAT ENC|RCL|NG
TEUTON|C ATTACK
FO|LED BY ITALIANS
Tide of Battle Flows and Ebbs
Between Piave and
Brenta Rivers.
GROUND NOW is STREWN
WITH INVADERS CORPSES

Diaz's Men Undergo Great Suffering,
But Defenders Are Brave and
Courageous in Face of All.
By the Associated Press.
ROME, November ga great eneir-
cling attack was attempted yesterday by
the Austro- German forces against Me-
letta, but the Italians held all the po-
sitions, it was announced today by the
war Office.
Throughout yesterday the Teutons at
tackled the Italian positions between the
Brenta and Piave rivers. Several posi-
tions were lost more than once, the state
ment adds, but all were retaken. To-
ward evening the last Italian counter
attacks definitely stopped the Austro-
Germans
Great Mountain Barrier.
BY the Associated Press.
ITALIAN HEADQUARTERS IN
NORTHERN ITALY, November 22.-
heavy nghting continues on the north
tains above Monte Grappa- These sue
cessive mountains are proving to be
the same kind of natural barrier to the
enemy's swift advance that the sue
cessive rivers interposed before the
Piave was reached. Before the enemy
looms snow-capped Grappa, held by the
Italians, which would be a really Tor
midable obstruction should the lower
ranges be taken. The name OF this
mountain inspires a feeling OF security
among the people, as it is taken from
the local dialect, its meaning being
saw" The crest looks like saw
with teeth turned to the sky.
1t Is toward this natural mountain
barrier that the present mountain fight
ing Is gradually developing. Guglielmo
Ferrero. the distinguished italian his
barrier is Itaiy,s greatest security.
which throughout history has brought
defeat to invading armies.
The fighting today between the Piave
and Brenta rivers. while heavy. brought
no material change in the positions Of
the opposing forces.
Italians outnumbered.
The 4th Italian Army, under Geu,
Robilant. Is meeting the full fofea of
the tremendous shock the enemy has
concentrated between the Pfave and
Brenta rivers. In authoritative quar-
tiers the correspondent was told that
the enemy forces delivering this blow
are In the proportion of three to two as
compared with the Italian forces, and
this Is virtually the relative strength
on the two wings west of the Brenta.
where Cen Pecori commands the 1et
Italian Army. and the right wing along
holds the enemy as In wise.
1t is, in this position that the fourth
army Is experiencing the most intense
action. with attacks following in rapid
succession. Reports early in the day
were satisfactory. At one point the
enemy succeeded in breaking through
the Italian lines on the foothills of
Monte Fontane Secca, compelling the
reformation of the defensive lines a
little farther back.
Bloody Fighting Goes On.
These fluctuations are marked by the
bloodiest fighting, with the enemy re-
serves coming forward for three sue
ceesive attacks. which were met at the
point OF the bayonet and driven back.
except for one push down the coveted
valley.
Just west Of this main field of action
the Italian first army rushed the enemy
posit1ons near the Brenta river. and
in two attacks and counter attacks
held the occupied ground, which was
strewn with enemy corpses.
on tne lower Piave the enemy forces
IN the bushes on the west bank back Of
Zenson are now placed at 700 men who
are being raked by the artillery, as thew
nave tried to set up a line of machine
guns across the small area they occupy.
Reports are coming in from the IN
vaded Vantiax district of fearful acts
committed by soldiers. but this is
s.ateo under reserve. as it is impossible
at present to give confirmation
An officer accompa MED by a cfviIia n
observer has just arrived here from the
northern fighting front. where they
nave Deen watching the operations just
to the west of tho po.Ls waere the
enemy's mass attssks wsrs reaching
their maximum inesnsity
Trenches strewn With Bodies.
The fighting ground gave dreadfu,
evidence OF the intensity of the struE-
. g,e curing the iast few days. The po-
the Austrians were strewn with bodies
which lay half covered with snow al
1T was impossible to bury the slain
lines.
The most desperate fighting was
around Monte Mallon. Whera ths
Italians held one side Of the eminence
and the Austro-German forces the
vance through the two valleys OF
Frenzela and Valstagna. which open
directly into Rassano and the plaina
The statement OF this design is no,
In its full details in the Austrian pIar
Of attack, taken from the bodies o1
Austrian officers left on the field.
These plans give precise directions
OF the hour and minute at which the
advance along these two valleys to
Bassano shall be carried out. as though
the enemy believed no doubt existed
of his successful advance
Italians Suffer Hardships.
The Italians are suffering great hard.
ships with fortitude in their battle tn
keep back the invaders. The observer
found men huddled in caverns and
caves. from which hung huge fcicIes
Many were absolutely worn out by
their superhuman efforts and slept on
the ground in blankets, with ice ali
about them. and drifted snow without
Rations are served once daily, but
with extreme difficulty in the midst OF
such a whirlwind of action. The skies
are gray. but stars show at night.
But with all these rigors and blood,
work the morale and confidence of IN,
men is at the top notch. A brigade o
-Alpini was seen passing to the front
They did not wear those jaunty Alpin.
hats with a cocks feather. as one see