The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-06-18

Uoin6 AAduc ny ltdlldn infantry IN
flicting heavy casualties on the
enemy.
(By Associated Press)
Holding their lines intact along
virtually all of the 80 miles of battle
front from the Adriatic to the Asiago
plateau the Italian and allied armies
appear to have given the Austrian
armies serious set back Approx
mately one million Austrians have
been hurled against the Italian front
but have gained little except along
the Piave river, where their progress
is seemingly too slow to be threaten
ing to the allied positions.
"Frightfu" Losses inflicted.
Losses which are described as
frightful have been inflicted upon the
Austrians in the areas where the
principal fighting has taken place. In
the mountainous country where the
British have been holding their posi-
tions solidly thousands of the enemy
have perished, while they have paid
heavily for every foot they have ad-
vanced along the Piave river front.
In the Montello area on the upper
Piave, the Austrians seem to have
gained foothold on the west bank of
the river. North of Zenson loop and
at Case Sile, lower down, they have
also moved westward, but their great
est gain does not exceed two or three
miles. 1t seems that, so far in the
battle the Austrians have gained the
most ground at Capo Sile a village
situated west of the Paive river and
surrounded by low marshy land which
IN itself does not lend itself readily
TO rapid advance by the Austrians.
The vital mountain sector along the
upper reaches Of the Brenta has rot
been broken. On the contrary the
British claim to have defeated the foe.
Unable to Advance.
Austr1a's offensive against the ItaL
Ian front has been checked for the
moment. If not brought to completA
failure. Fighting has ceased in the
mountains from Lake Garda to the
Plave where the allies broke up the
first enemy blows. Along the Piave
the Austrians have been unable TO
advance from the western bank OF the
river.
Despite months OF preparation and
stupendous preliminary bombard-
ment. the Austrian attack in the
north on the Asiago plateau and be-
tween the Prenta and the Piaye col
lapsed almost at its inception before
the stout resistance of the French and
Italians. Although their offensive be-
gan Saturday, the Austrians on Mon
day had given up, at least Temporarily.
tnelr efforts to reach the Venetian
plain to the south. In counter-thrusts
the Italians Monday regained several
positions In the mountains
Around Montello. just below where
tne battle line reaches the Piave. the
Italians still hold their positions await
ing further efforts, but the enemy
made no attacks there Monday.
Reorganize Troops.
The enemy command is reorganiz-
ing the units shattered in the attempt
to overcome the important height
Between Zenson and Fosalta, a dis.
tance of less than three miles. the
Austrians succeeded in crossing the
river after having been defeated in
efforts to debouch north and south of
these points. Zenson is east of Ire
viso and If the Piave line should break
while the northern line holds. the We
netian plains would be opened to the
invaders
Rome, however, in its latest state
ment. reports that all the Austrian
efforts to enlarge their gains on the
western bank, between Zenson and
F'ossalta, have been checked bv
counter attacks. Prisoners taken bv
the Italians, French and British now
total 5000. The latest report from
Vienna makes claim of no marked
gains except the capture OF Capo Sile
on the west bank of the Piave. south
of Fosalta. The number of prisoners
is now reported as 10000
Emperor Charles is reported to be
in the southern Trentine directing the
offensive and dispatches from Swift
erland say that thousands of troops
are being sent into the Arentine. Fur
ther Austrian efforts undoubtedly may
be expected.
Activity on the front in France con-
unues of minor character German
efforts to drive the French from their
new gains around Hautebraye, north
west of scissors. were repulsed by the
French, who increased their captures
to $40 prisoners. Small raids have
been carried out by the Germans
against British positions in Picardy
and Flanders
American positions north OF Cha
teau-Thierry are being bombed heavi.
ly with gas shells and there are indf-
cations that the enemy may again try
to drive the Americans from Belleu
wood and other territory recently
gained. The enemy artillery fire also
has increased along the Marne east
of Chateau-Thierry but there has been
no infantry activity. On the Lune-
vile front. enemy raiders have cap
tured few American prisoners, while
in the Vosges. in Alsace. American
gunners broke up German raid.