Arizona republican., 1918-10-26
ITALIANS STRIKE
 ENEMY, 3000 HUNS TAKEN IN BATTLE
Republican A. P. Leased Wirel

lRepublican A. F. Leased WIrel
 WASHINGTON, Oct. 25.-The sud den flare of activity on the Italian front after months of almost complete quiet, attarcted atention today among military officials here. It was noted however, that first official reports from Rome carefully refrained from describ- ing the actions as drive.
 The fact th t nearly 5000 prisoners were taken yesterday shows the sur prise nature of the attacks and it also may indicate waning morale in the Austrian army. Officers here would not be surprised if the Austrian forces in view of conditions at home. showed weakness under heavy assault.
 May Mean Offensive
 Tn place selected for the attack in dicated the present operation may he preliminary steps to a major offensive. If the high ground between the Brenta and Piave rivers is carried in suffi- cient forces, observers here believe 1t might be possible for the Italian army. supported by French and British units and artillery and possibly by American troops, to reach the valley of the upper Piave and outflank the whole Aus trian position on the lower stretches Of the river, running from the Monte
 
 withdrawal of the Austrian forces on this line would appear to be the certain result of any striking Italian success on the lines now under assault.
 Between Two Rivers The Piave forms a great loop. flow ing down toward the plateau from the northeast, then swinging sharply southeast to reach the sea. West of the Monte Grappa heights that defect the rivers course, the Brenta flows down from the northwest and bends sharply south about the eastern face of the rugged plateau. It is in the ter ritory between the two rivers that the new attack has been launched.
 Aside from it's military significance the operation in Italy is being watched closely by officials here as a test of the spirit of the Austrian army. Re ports of disorder and disaffection in the dual monarchy havt been persist ent for months and it is regarded as quite within the range of possibility that the war weariness at home will show itself decisively at the front. In that case the early equalization of Ger many's chief ally might be expected.
 On Western Front
 On the western front the situation around Valenciennes seemed to off, CeIS ueIe tO De approaching d CTlIlCdl stage. The British continued to force their way ahead and with Raismes forest cleared the water barriers to the north partially overcome, and Normal i forest on the south invested, it ap- peared that the gateway to Mons and ! Maubeuse between the two forests soon would be forced.
 The French. it was also noted. were making more rapid progress in clear ing the enemy out of the Oise-Se salient. Possibly the thickly placed German reserves in this sector have been withdrawn to meet the British menace.
 Positions Improved Viewed from a larger perspective. it appeared possible to some officers that I these two operations might now be compelling such concentration of en- eny reserves in the center of the long line from the Mouse to the sea that the time was almost at hand when a new l blow would be struck effectively fur i ther east. The Franco American ar mics east and. west of the Mouse have | been steadily improving their tactical l positions it was pointed out and there l is a strong feeling that new blow 1 of greater extent than any struck for some weeks is certain to fall upon the enemy somewhere on this part of the line before winter sets in to slow up operations.