The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-11-06
GERMANS EXERT
GREAT PRESSURE
At TACL|AM[NTO
Concentration of Italian Forces
and Allied Reinforcemcnts
Face the Teutons.
SITUATION Is STILL
s.. PRONOUNCED GRAVE
Natural Dcfcnses West of River
Especially Strong-Is Hol-
land of Italy.
MASS ATTACK,

MASS ATTACK.
italian Headquarters in North
ern Italy, Nov. 6.-The reports of
heavy artillery fire on both banks
of the Ta9liamento with the chief
pressure on the italian left wing,
shows that Austro-Gern,an patrols
have crossed the river as fore
seen, and that the enemy is try
ing to throw his main body into
the plain of the western Friuli re.
gion.
The enemy attack in the Giudu-
caria valley on the Trenito front
also shows clearly his purpose to
make mass attack from the
north.
The Italian authorities highly
appreciate the work Of the Ameri-
can Red Cross, which is supple
mneting the conspicuous service
the British. Red Cross rendered
during the recent retreat. iye.
Italian Headquarters in Northern
Italy, Nov. 6.-The situation is still
grave. Attention is now centered on
the strength of the defenses west of
the TagliamentO river and on the
ability to effect the vast reorganiza-
tion and oppose the whole fCsce of
the concentration Of Italian troops and
allied reinfOrcements against the tre-
mendOus pressure the enemy is ex.
erting
All the allies should realize that one
of the supreme trials of the war has
reached the final stage. v..
The chief pressure Of the enemy
advance Is now being exerted against
the newly constituted left wing, OF
the Italian army in an attempt to
throw the bulk Of the hostile forces
across the Tagliamento river and then
resort to the enemy's favorite device
OF turning movement. The Taglia-
mento is the boundary between the
eastern and the western Friuli region.
Having overrun the eastern region,
it is the evident purpose of the enemy
general staff to profit, by speed in
throwing it's masses to the western
region before the Italians are able to
carry out their reformation process.
Time Chief Factor.
Time is the chief factor for Italy
in reconstructing her lines, and speed
is the chief factor for the enemy, al
though the Marne furnished the warn
ing of the danger in pushing an army
ahead too fast.
The Tagliamento is something more
than a military obstruction, as it Is
also relied upon to give time for re-
organization. This involves not only
fighting but feeding, and it is a CO.
lossal task to re-establish the de-.
ranged subsistence service of a vast
army, so that rations may be supplied
with that unfailing regularity which
keeps up the morale of the troops.
Holland Of italy.
The natural defenses west of the
river are also strong, as the region
is known as the Holland of Italy, be.
ing a network of canals ana rivers,
most of them running straight across
the line OF the advancing enemy wave.
The French received an enthusias-
tic welcome and the presence OF the
French and English supplies served
as an inspiration throughout the ltal-
ian ranks. The American action also
was noted with the deepest satlstac-
tiOn.
The cooperation of the allies is be-
ing watched and accompanied by a
patriotic wave throughout Italy. The
walls everywhere are covered with
patriotic declarations for the defense
of the country The workmen OF the
Great Ansaldo gun and ammunition
works united in telegram to the
government asking permission 10
leave their work and take up arms
in the field.
The Novara and Genoa cavalry regl'
ments, which General Cadorna mas
conspicuously thanked for the rear
guard services they performed, are
everywhere heroes of the hour. The
CORRESPONDENTS party saw them last
Sunday during the pell nell retreat,
witnessing the inspiring spectacle OF
these troopers, squirting, forward
across the fields.
FIRST LINE OF DEFENsEs.
London, Nov. 6.-The British cor
RESPONDENT accredited to Italian head
quarters, telegraphing Monday, says:
"The crossing of Tagliamento does
not imply a fresh Austrian victory
for the river is only the first line
of defense upon which depends the
arrest of the invasion OF northern
Italy. The enemy has not had time to
bring up his biggest guns.
"The struggle will be largely a race
between the enemy's heavy artillery
and the arrival of allied reinforce
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