Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-17
ARMIES OF ITALY
/. TAKE AGGRESSIVE
AGAINST INVADERS
Austro-Germans Compelled
to Fight Hard to Main
tain Their Lines.
ARTILLERY FIRE CONTINUES
IN FLANDERS AND PICARDY
Austrian Battleship Destroyed in
Raid on Naval Base
at Pola.
RUSSIA CALLS FOR HER ARMY
Arthur j. Balfour Says Great Britain
Is Prepared to Consider
Peace Proposals.
ARTILLERY FIRE CONTINUES
IN FLANDERS AND PICARDY
RUSSIA CALLS FOR HER ARMY

Among the rugged peaks OF this
hsiago plateau. cast Of the Ercnta
River. the Italian front has again
named into violent action The ag-
grcssive has been taken by the Italians
however, and the Austro- German
forces instead OF launching their long.
expected assault on the Italian line,
have been compelled to fight hard to
maintain the positions where they have
stood since last November
The lighting seems TO have ccntcred
on tho comparatively short section or
the baltic line between Monte Asolonc
and Monte Pcrtica. These two heights.
about three miles apart. rise to an al
titude of about 5000 feet. while be-
tween them there is sort of saddle"
on which the Tcutonic forces have
taken UP strong positions Both the
Vienna and Rome official statements
tell OF bitter lighting on this particular
front. tho latter stating that the
Italian soldiers have entered Austrian
trenches on Monte .\Solonc In two
places.
The fact that tho Italian armies have
taken the initiative in the lighting
would seem TO indicate that thcy have
sought to carry the fight to the enemy
in such a way as to break up any ar
ranEements for tic launching OF
strong Tcutonic assault This has
many precedents IN the present war.
strong offensive at threatened
point being considered n dcfeusc under
certain circumstances.
WHOLE 'FRONT.', FROM LAKE
GtRDt TO SEA. ACTIVE
While the lighting has been very
fierce east OF tie Brcnta tho whole
"a. q.
Piavc and thence to the sea. has been
marked by patrol engagements. which
appear to he isolated actions. but
which may bc component parts of
plan Of campaign in that thcater OF
tho war. Nowhere have tho Italian
lines been reached by attacking par
ties of Austrians.
In Flanders and Picardy only heavy
artillery fire mas marked the lighting
during the last day American gun
ners have been at work in tho general
bombardmcnt that has been going on.
and have again set buildings In Mont
didicr in flames. Hire and there there
have hcen patrol engagements. but
these fights have not approached the
magnitude Of a battle at any point.
ITALIANS DESTROY BIG
AUSTRIAN BATTLESHIP
\ daring raid on the Austrian naval
base at pola has been made by Italian
units. and an Austrian battleship of
the c0.00O-ton type has been destroyed.
The Italian naval forces were aided in
their operations by the cooperation Of
an aerial squadron.
II has been announced from Wash
inEton that ar official order has been
issued by the Soviet government OF
Russia. calling for the formation OF
an army that will fight for the security
Of the Russian republic. which has
been menaccd by the aggression of the
Germans.
Arthur j. Balfour. British Secretary
for Foreign Affairs discussing in the
House of Commons the now famous let
ter written by Emperor Charles OF
Austria to Prince SiXtus of Bourbon
said that Great Britain is prepared
to consider proposals Of peace from
tho central powers. provided they arc
put forward by an accredited person
in Il straightforward manner. lie de-
clarcd that no offers thus far made
by Germany and Austria had been ia
tho interest of tair and honorable peace.