Evening star., 1918-06-19
Austrians Continue
Fierce Efforts Along
the Piave River.
DISASTROUS CHECK
MET in MOUNTAINS
French and British Positions
Around Asiago Are Under
Heavy Fire.

| Fierce attacks are beng made
by the Austrians to overcome
the Italian resistance along the
Piave, but the defensive line
still holds. Apparently the
enemy sees his only hope of
success in charging his gains
across the Piave, having been
given a disastrous check in the
mountains from west of Asiago
to the Piave. In the mountains
the. Austrians have been gener-
ally on the defensive since they
were checked and then thrown
back over the terrain gained
Saturday in the first day of the
offensive.
The French and British
around Asiago are under a
heavy enemy bombardment, and
the French Tuesday repulsed a
strong local Austrian effort.
Along the Val Suganna and
against the bastion of Monte
Grappa the enemy holds further
attacks in allegiance.
Along the nearly thirty-mile
Piave line the situation has not
improved greatly from an allied
viewpoint, although the Aus
trians have been defeated at
most points in efforts to enlarge
their gains.
Fight From Mountains to Sea.
By the Associated Press
| ROME, June 18.-The battle on the
mountainous sectors Of the Italian
front has died down. but is fiercer
from the mountains to the sea along
the Piave river, according to the
statement issued by the war office to-
day. The statement reads:
1.-THE violence Of the battle has
somewhat decreased along the noun
| tain front. but Is increasing along the
Piave river.
1.-The third army withstood the DOW
erful efforts Of the enemy yesterday.
In front of Maserada and at Candelu
ton the Piave river) renewed attempts
to establish new openings on the right
bank Of the river were sanguinarily
repulsed.
From Fossalta to Capo Sile the
struggle ragged without pause.
'On the northern edge Of the Mon
tello we strengthened our occupation
on the river as far as cassaserena-
"In the afternoon the enemy from
the northeastern salient on the mount
delivered two attacks. The first was
| arrested to the east Of line north
east of Giavera. The second was stop
ped Immediately south Of the Soauro-
San Andrea railway.
Repulse Enemy Attacks.
"In the Grappa region we repulsed
enemy attacks and carried out sue
cessful raids. taking about 100 pris-
oners.
"At the end Of the Brenta valley and
east Of the Frenzelo valley enemy
thrusts were promptly arrested.
''On the eastern margin Of the Asiago
plateau our troops wrested from the
| enemy Razea Pizzo and the heights
southeast of Sasso. capturing about
300 prisoners.
"Our parties and a French con-
tingent in a strong attack gained
ground on the spur Of Costalunga and
took some prisoners there.
| Alternating Assaults.
formidable enemy attacks alter
mated with our counter attacks. At
the beginning vigorous advances were
crushed by our resistance or arrested
by counter offensive actions. The
struggle was suspended only late at
night.
1.-THE valiant troops of our army were
lstrenuously tried, but the enemy was
not able to increase the short depth in
the strip of ground within which the
fighting has been raging four days
prisoners to the number Of 1850 re-
manned in our hands.
"Our airmen tirelessly continued to
participate effectively in the battle not
withstanding the heavy rain.
Numerous prisoners were captured by
the British
Month Vital to Italy.
Discussing the war situation. the Cor
riere Della Sera of Milan says:
''This month is the most vital in Italy's
history, with all Austria against ali
Italy. Every Italian soldier must be
fired by the glorious example Of Cant.
lRizzo, who, almost unaided, dealt such
a terrible blow to the Austrian fieet'
Correspondent at the front describes
the fierce fighting which is going on
increasingly around Monte Grappa
particularly for the possession of DO
sitions leading to 1t and those dom
mating the gorges of the Brenta
river There is no uneasiness among
the Inhabitants thus far. but a few
peasants have been seen along the
roads, seeking new homes farther
from the scene Of the battle. While
Venice feels the menace those who
have remained in the city-about 20
900 in all-have become accustome ed
to air raids. war dangers and the
sound Of artillery fire. So there has
been no exodus from Venice of late.
Light Shed by Prisoners.
Additional light on the Aust ria y
offensive has been furnished by some
Of the 5000 prisoners captured up to
today. According to their testimony,
CONTINUED o. Tenth Pase.y