Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-06-17
FOE IS REPuLSED
WITHOUT ANY GAIN
After long and careful preparations the Aus
tro-fiungarlan offensive has commenced over a
front OF approximately one hundred miles in Italy.

| h e first forty-eight
hours of fighting, during
which the Austrians are
reported to have used sixty divisions,
over 100000 men. found the italians
and their French and British allies
fully prepared at every point to with.
stand the onsaughts and at no place
have the Austrans been able to make
any appreciable gains.
AS fighting in the new drive hared
up on the Southwestern front hOstili.
ties on the great battlefields in France
dwindled down to a minimum.
In the first stages of the assault
before the Austrians had lasted TWEEN
ty-four hours the Italians. British and
French were delivering furious cOun.
ter-attacks all along the line, meeting
blow for blow and driving back the
Austrians at practically every point
they had succeeded in Overrunning
the allies advanced positions.
In none Of the four big Offensives
begun by the Germans in France since
the middle of March have the allied
forces been able to strike so quickly
and so vigorously.
Capture 700 Austrians.
On the Italian Front, June 1.-THE
British fighting with the Italian in
the southwestern theatre OF war have
captured 100 AustroGerman prisoners
and four cannon
The losses inflicted by the British
since the Austrian offensive began
Saturday morning have been six
times as heavy as they sustained
themselves
British airmen have bombed and
destroyed seven bridges spanning the
Piave river
Fighting Continues.
Rome, June 17.-Violent fighting
continues along the entire battle
front in northern Italy, with the tall
ans paying blow for blow and the
Austrians everywhere are being held,
the war Office announced today.
The Austrians have kept up their
attacks in great force along the Piave
river where they are struggling to
establish bridgehead positions on the
right bank Of the stream
The italian troops are Savagely
counter attacking all along the line.
London Drives OF Foe Aircraft.
London. June 17--Hostile aircraft
crossed the Kentish coast this after.
noon. but upon being fred at, made
Off to sea. it is officially announced
Bulgarian Cabinet Falls.
London, June 1.-THE Bulgarian
cabinet has resigned precipitating
cabinet crisis, according TO informa'
ton from Otplld luudN'
Offered Peace to Italy
Washington. June 1.-THE Central
Powers recently offered Italy an hon
orable peace" which was refused, the
Italian premier informed the Italian
chamber Of deputies according TO an
official dispatch today from Rome.
At the same time he gave detailed
information of the solidarity OF Italy
with the oppressed nationalities Of
Austria. The premier stated the
Czench-Sloyac battalion. are already
lighting with Italian soldiers at the
front and that the Roumanans. .Slays
are begging to Join Italy against a
common enemy
Strikes in Prussia.
Amsterdam June l7.-Strikes are
being organized in Germany as re-
suit of the decreased bread ration, ac.
cording to Information received here
today
4 demonstration was planned Tor
today a. Nurnberg.
italians viii Hold.
/ Washington, June 1.-THE Italian
armies viii turn the new Austrian
offensive in distinct allied victory
That was the hat prediction today Of
American army officers who exhibited
the greatest enthusiasm over the
manner IN which the Italians have
met this latest push by The lnyaders.
American Private Honored,
Washington, June 1.-THE lbrst
American to die on German soil was
awarded the French war cross ac.
corlng to iodays statement from
General Pershing. which said; "Pri'
vate ". j. Duyton who belonged TO
the American troops operating In the
Vosges was killed by machine gun
fire on the day after his unit entered
on fhn limo IIp rpcptypd The war