New-York tribune., 1917-12-03
Italian Artillery
Intensifes Fire;
Attack Predicted
Anglo French Reinforce
ments Aid in Assuming
the Initiative
Hill Taken and Lost
Teutons Regain Position in
the Monte Pertica
Region
Hill Taken and Lost

LONDON, Dec. 2.-Artillery FIRE is
increasing in violence and volume
along the whole front in Italy, accord
ing to to-day's official report from
Rome. II is believed here that the
time for the Allies confidently expected
counter stroke is drawing near. Ber-
lin merely announces: There is moth
ing new to report on the Italian 'front.'
Reports from the headquarters Of
both armies during the last few days
have indicated that the Italians, backed
bv newly arrived French and British
endorsements, have taken the initia-
tive in the fighting from the Germans
not only repulsing all attacks. Du'
making headway at various points III
sharp counter thrusts. Observers mere
interpret to-day's communique as ne"
evidence that the Allies contemplate d
definite offensive, in the hope of throw
ing the invader back on the danger
points of the Piave line.
Rome declares that enemy troops
concentrated on the road from Monte
Cimone TO the Nos Valley were caught
under the fire CT the Italian batteries
and disJersed. Large enemy groups,
which after a preparation of artillery
fire attempted to approach the Italian
positions at Melletta. we've put to hight'
Another desperate though local hgnt
i reported in the Monte Pertica re-
zion which has witnessed some OF the
hardest encounters of the campaign
An Italian attacking party stormed
Hill 1,549, defended by the enemy, and
hold il for a time. Later however, the
Germans centred their hre on the posi-
ton and the Italians were forced to
withdraw.
Brigadier General Scriven continues
his tours of inspection on behalf OF tne
American government. visiting tne
Duke of Aosta, commander OF the 81
Army. at his headquarters, and making
a careful survey of Sega Hill ana
Cemetery Road, where q desperate ilgh |
occurred, and Austrians. who had
crossed the Piave were thrown back
into the river. The Duke OF Aosth
gave General Scriven as memento OF
that fight, the hat chevrOn OF an ohcer
OF the cath Austrian Regiment. such
as is worn on the front Of officers caps.
At Sega Hill heavy bombardment
was in progress, the enemy using guns
of large and small calibres, as well as
machine guns and rifles. One shell
struck a trench in which General
Scriven was making observations, open
ing huge fssure and killing two ltal-
ian soldiers outright The Italian ar
tillery was more than holding its own
with guns of all calibres and large
numbers of airplanes.
From trench at the brink or the
river back Of Sega Hill, General Scri.
ven could see long lines of bodies OF
Austrian dead, still lying on the sand
bar in mid-stream. They have been
there for two weeks, but every attempt
the Italians make TO bring them in for
burial is met with the fierce fire OF
Austrian batteries.
While General Scriven was in the
trenches, Austrian batteries got the
range of his army automobile, when
was waiting on Cemetery Road. They
landed two shrapnel shells, which came
dangerously near to demolishing the
car and its attendants, although they
all escaped with a shaking-up.