New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-19
Diaz Holds Main Positions,
InAicting Heavy Losses
on the Foe
One Force Wiped Out
After Crossing River
Battle Rages Along Whole
Line From Asiago
Plateau to Sea

LONDON, Nov. 1s.-All Of the Aus
tro-German forces that crossed the
Piave at Fagare have been wiped out,
Rome reported officially to-day. Sew
eral further attempts TO force the
stream have been frustrated and the
remnant Of the enemy clinging to the
west bank in Zenson bend is in des-
perste straits.
Between the upper Piave and the
Asisgo Plateau the defenders have
withdrawn slightly in some sections
and have recaptured ground at other
places.
The Battle of the Piave, which is
bound 20 stand in history with the
Battle Of the Marne as one of the de-
eisive engagements of the war, con-
tinued to-day, its seventh day, TO rage
with extreme violence all along the line
from the Asiago Plateau to the river
and thence through the Venetian plain
10 the Adriatic.
Line Is Holding
The line is swaying slightly forward
in sore sectors and backward IN
others. but in the main the Italians are
holding their chosen positions hrmly
and iniicting heavy losses on the IN
Military sentiment here has been
changed completely by the splendid
performance of General Diaz's men;
Where a week ago it was considered
almost certain the Italians would have
10 retreat to the Adige. 1t IS now
thought the defenders have good
chances OF holding on their present
line and may perhaps repeat the MS
tory OF the Marne battle by turning
10 the offensive and forcing generaI
Teuton withdrawal.
The brevity of the German ohclal
statements to-day and their LACK of
details are taken here as a confession
AZ failure TO move the Italians by the
desperate assaults which are described
Al length in the Rome communique.
-Four Attacks Repulsed
The enemy made four attempts the
night Of November 1911 to force Monte
Zomo. east of Gallo, the Rome com
munioue stated to-day, narratlng the
events in the important hill region east
Of the Asiago Plateau. The attacks
were extremely violent, but the Liguria
Brigade met them with great tenacity.
The enemy failed to gain, and his at
tempt to force the line from Monte
Sisemol 20 Monte Castelgomberto was
fruitless.
The Italians made an advance further
north. in the direction Of Casera ana
Meletta d'Avanti, and took lOO pris-
oners.
Between the Brenta and Piave rivers
Rome speaks of an orderly withdrawal
from some advanced positions, after the
Como Brigade and other units had dis
tinguished themselves IN briiliaht
counter attacks. Berlin states strong
mountain positions were taken IN tnls
sector.
The hostile units that were thrown
across the Piave at Fagare were as
sailed by the Caserta Brigade and de-
tachments Of other troops, and every
man killed, wounded or captured, Rome
declares.
The forces Of Germans on the west
bank of the river at Zenson attempted
10 better their uncomfortable position
by an advance, but the Spinerole Bri-
rsde met them and drove them back.
They are now penned into a narrower
space Of shell-swept river bank than
before
The Italians captured on the right
bank OF the Piave November IS and II
1912 officers and men and twenty-seyen
machine guns.