The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-06-02
ITALIANS
AUSTRI LINES
Surprise Attack Skaters Teuton
Defenses Over Wide Front,
Says Official Report.
5000 PRISONERS WERE TAKEN
Among Those Captured Were 800 Ger
man and Austrian Officer"
Are Near To Triest.

NC wear 10
Rome, May 25-Italian forces yes
terday broke through the Austro-Hun-
garian lines from Castagnavizza to
the sea, taking more than 5000 pris-
oners, says the official statement is
sued today by the Italian war depart
ment.
While today's attack on the right Of
the Italian front along the Isonzo was
breaking through and pushing the
Austrians back over a 10-mile front
the Italians also made considerable
progress north Of Goritz, tonight's off
| cial statement says Heavy enemy
counter-attacks were repulsed,
Perhaps the most sensational fea-
ture of the attack on the Austrians
from Castagnavizza to the sea was the
work of the Italian air squadrons.
Scores of the filters lowered over the
| Austrian lines. dropping bombs and
swooping low to use their machine
guns with great effect on the masses
Of the enemy. They are given great
credit for aiding in breaking down the
Austrian morale. In many places the
enemy troops fled from naturally
strong positions when attacked by the
airmen. Not a SINCE airplane was
| lost.
Took Three Hundred Officers.
More than three hundred Austrian
and German officers were among the
nine thousand prisoners taken by the
Italians in their sweep towards Triest
/ ba official oororo,,-ioaFiov, -
| to today's fighting says:
''Ten British batteries which are on
our front as evidence of the brotherIy
| cooperation of our ally made a large
| contribution to the artillery prepare
ton. Our naval guns also proved very
| effective.
I'm the Goritz area our troops re-
! pulsed heavy enemy attacks, captured
a strong point on the northwest slopes
of San Marco and after severe fight
! ing made considerable progress in the
Monte Santo and Vodice area
The new advance of the Italians
brings them appreciably nearer Triest,
which, from the lower part of the line,
is less than ten miles away. The
ground traversed and yet to be passed
over is difficult for military opera
lions and even with other successful
| advances such as the last one the OBJ
jective OF the Italians will not be at
tanned except by fighting of a most
! desperate nature.
LuII on West Front
Paris, May 24.-The official COM
munication issued by the war office
| tonight reads:
"On the observation-disclosures no in
fantry action occurred during the day.
| The enemy bombarded new points
which we occupy in the region Of Vau-
cIerc and California Plateau. The
number of prisoners taken in the oper-
atoms of yesterday exceeds four hun
dred.
I'm Champagne there was spirited
artillery activity on the part Of the
enemy south of Moronvilliers. The
Germans finally delivered against
Mont Haut an attack which our fire
broke down just before it was able to
reach our trenches"
London, May 24.-Tonight's British
official communication says:
Nothing of special interest occurred
today owing to the unfavorable wealth
er conditions.
There was less activity in the air
yesterday and little fighting. One Ger
man airplane was driven down out OF
control"
Brazil Talking War.
Washington, May 24.-BraziPs entry
into the war is regarded here as a
question merely of days. Those who
have watched South American deveE
opments closely believe that the sink
ing OF the steamer Tijuca may pro
vide the incident required to place the
more pacific members Of the Brizilian
congress in the list Of those willing to
vote for active hostiIities against Ger
many.
President Braz asked congress yes
; terday to revoke the declaration OF
neutrality and if congress accepts his
suggestion formal declaration Of wal
probably will follow Immediately. The
: text of the Presidents message, EN-
} phasizing Brazil's traditional policy o.
) continental solidarity and friendship
: for the United States, was received by