The Mena weekly star., 1918-06-20
AUSTRIAN DRIVE
 INTO ITALY HELD
Fighting Has Ceased With Advan- tage Apparently With the Allies American Positions Threat
 ened in France.

New York, June 1s.-The Associat- ed Press summary of the Austrian at tempt on Italy says:
 Austria's offensive against the Ital- ian front has been checked for the moment, if not brought to a complete failure. Fighting has ceased in the mountains from Lake Garda to the Piave where the allies broke up the first enemy blow. Along the Piave the Austrians have been unable to advance from the western bank of the river.
 Bitter fighting is in progress here and the Austrians are suffering huge losses from the concentrated Italian fire
 Despite months of preparations and a stupendous preliminary bonn bardment the Austrian attack in the north on the Asiago plateau and be- tween the Brenta and the Piave col lapsed almost at it's inception, before the stout resistance of the French and Italians.
 Altho their offensive began Satur- day and the Austrians on Monday had given up at least momentarily their efforts to reach the Venetian plain to the south,
 Italians Regain Positions.
 In counter thrusts the Italians Monday regained several positions in the mountains.
 Around Montella, just below where the battle line reaches the Piave the Italians still hold their po- sitions awaiting further efforts, but the enemy made no attack there Mon- day. The enemy command is reorgan- izing the units shattered in the at tempts to overcome the important height.
 Between Benson and Fossalta a distance 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. Benson is east of Treviso and if the Piave line should break while the northern line holds. the Venetian plains would be opened to the intruders.
 Austrians Are Checked.
 Rome, however, in its latest state ment, reports that all the Austrian efforts to enlarge the gains on the western bank between Benson and Fossalata have been checked by coun- ter attacks. Prisoners taken by the Italians, British and French now total 5000.
 The latest report from Vienna makes claim of no marked gains ex- cept the capture of Caposile on the west bank of the Piave river south of Fossalta. The number of prisoners now is reported as 12,000
 Emperor Charles is reported to be in the southern Trentino directing the offensive and dispatches from Swift zerland say that thousands of troops are being sent into the Trentino. Further eastern efforts may be ex- pected.
 American Positions Threatened.
 The nghting on the front Tn France continues of minor character. The German efforts to add to their new gains arount Hautebraye, northwest of Soissons, were repulsed by the French, who increased their captures to 370 prisoners.
 Small raids have been carried out by the Germans against British po- sitions in Picardy and Flanders.
 American positions northwest of Chateau Thierry are being lombard ed heavily with gas shells and there are indications that the enemy may again try to drive the Americans from Belleau wood and other terri tory now gained. The artillery fire has increased on the Marne near Cha teau Thierry, but there has been no infantry activity.