New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-18
Situation Grave, Says
Report From Front;
Allied Guns Are.
Brought Up
Two Units Cross;
Are Flung Back
Italians Take 1000
Prisoners-Germans
Claim Hill Posi-.
ton Captured

~. ". Il 4.
The Austro-Germans to-day made
furious attempts 10 break the Italian
line and crossed the Piave River at two
points, but were annihilated at one
point and driven back at the other. The
Italian lines are holding, but the stu
tion Is considered to be grave.
LONDON, Nov. 17-Support from the
French and British has now reached the
Piave battle line, which the Italian
armies have grimly held for more than
a week. British "heavies," which out.
range the enemy's 5-inch guns, are
laundering across the strip Of water
which still holds the invaders at bay.
Nevertheless. the military situation,
now so tense, threatens TO turn one
way or the other TO decision at any
moment. Teuton troops have managed
to force a crossing OF the stream at
two more points.
But, according to Rome, one of the
hostile units, smothered by the sudden
shock of the Italian recoil, was Killed
or captured to a man. The other, re.
duced to a remnant, is pinned against
the river bank, unable, under the Ital-
ian barrage, to move either forward or
back. During the day more than 1000
German prisoners were taken to the
concentration cages.
British Monitors In Action
At the mouth of the Pave, too, the
defence has begun 20 turn 10 the ag-
gresslve. The Italian fleet. reinforced
by British monitors, has been flung out
as a shield for Venice, and hostile
forces near the coast line have beer
brought under the direct and enfilading
fire of the war ships. The Allied feet
moved in battle formation, ready 10
meet the Austrian war vessels should
they sweep forward across the Adriatic
upon Venice.
The Austro-German forces are almost
certai nto make an attempt upon Venice
in the next few days. and General Diaz
is handicapped by the great value OF
the city he is defending from the enemy
-
only field pieces. Berlin tonight re-
ports reconnoitring operations near the
mouth of the lower Pave the frs,
fee!ers TO a forward thrust.
The Italians have new helc the Pave
for over seven day.. On i;o~smb"f =
the foe reached the river frors Srss-
CANA TO the sea. In the las. five days
Won Bellows troops seem TO have set
foot on the best bank at least eight
times--at Zenson, between Quero and
Fenere, and at ST. Dons di Piaye, In
testadura. di Papadoli, Grisolera, Fol
lima and Fogare-but nowhere have
they been able 10 progress any distance
from the protection of their batteries
stationed east of the river.
Germans Minimize Attack
The latest crossings. which yor
Ludendorf dismisses az "reconnoitring
engagements along the west bank OF
the Piaye," were made at Follina and
Fogare, both just above the previous
crossing at Zenson and between Sslet-
tuol and San Andrea di Barbarlano.
At Follina the Lecoe brigade charged
the troops who had got over the river
and captured all who had survived the
Italian artillery and machine gun fire.
The prisoners numbered 300.
The 54th Division, consisting Of the
Novare Brigade and the Sd Bersaglieri,
captured twenty officers and 600 men OF
the detachment that reached the west
bank at Fogare. The rest. according 10
the Rome official statement, are held In
a precarious position along the river
bank. Their numbers are rapidly be.
ing thinned by the Italian shells, while
.t . cfroo - kop 1
by the fire of Diaz's guns.
Exposed to Heavy Fire
The few Teutons who are still across
the Piave in the loop at Zenson ars
also suffering heavily, and the half
moon Of territory they hold IS being
restricted by the Italians.
Near the sea, the Hungarans who
crossed at Grisolera are embarrassed.
not only by the inundation OF the lani
between the Piave and the S;le, bat
by the Italian and British naval units.
Naval aircraft. floating and land bat
teries and light forces are opposing
the foe, according 10 the Italian COM
munique.
Battles took place from Monte Flor
70 Monte Castelgomberto. az the de-
iNAofN i4lt VI Ddu MdTlHO, HI monte
Prassolan and 10 the north of Quero,
along the line running through Roscs
Cisa and Monte Cornelle TO the Piaye
Valley. Regarding the German claim
OF the capture of Monte Prassolsn the
Rome official statement is silent. Aside
from this gain Won Bellows thrusts
were without result.
II is considered certain here that
the Italians have now held the foe or
the Piave line long enough TO enable
the French and British detachments
sent from France TO give apprecabie
assistance. Unofficial reports describe
the havoc wrought in the Austro. Ger
man ranks by British big guns.
The enemy seems not yet TO have
been able 10 bring up pieces larger
than five-inch, being at distinct dis
advantage in this respect The larger
guns Of the defenders naturally can
punish the Teuton fve-inch batteries,
which they outrange. without them.
selves being in danger.