The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-06-19
Allies Retain Initiative in
Mountain Sector.
Also at Certain Points Along
the River.
GREATEST GAIN FOUR MILES
Enemy Claims $4,000 Prisoners
and 12O Cannon.
Austrian Emperor and Italian
Premier at Front.

London, June 19.-Allied forces
still retain the initiative in the noun
tain area of the Italian front, while
the. Austrians continue their principal
! efforts at both extremes of the Piave
river line, it was indicated in last
nights official statements. The Ital-
ians also maintain an advantage at
certain points along the river.
While the greatest strategic danger
to the Italians lay in the assault on
their mountain defenses as major
Austrian success there would compel
withdrawal of the armies along the
Piave and probable evacuation of Ven
ice and Trevisco. the combined British.
French and Italian forces have
stopped the enemy in their tracks.
Huns Shift Attack.
The Huns. therefore. have shifted
their efforts to acquisition of IL Mon
tello, the crest guarding the northern
end of the Piave line and to the marsn
land along the lower Piave.
In both these areas the Austrians,
who are employing close to miil1on
men in the entire drive, have regis
tered their greatest gains. They have
advanced maximum distance or
three miles over II Montello. occupy
ing two thirds of the high land. On
the fifteen mile front between Foss-
alta and the sea. they have penetrated
four miles, reaching the Fossetta
canal at a point about midway be-
tween the Piave and Sile rivers.
Allies Hold in Mountains.
Allied troops in the mountain re-
gion occupied Razea Pizzo the heights
southeast of Sasso and the spur OF
Costalunga, taking several hundred
prisoners.
Along the Piave. attacks and coun-
ter-attacks constantly alternated
The latest Austrian claim Is OF
1000 prisoners and 120 guns.
Both Emperor Karl, of Austria, and
Premier Orlando, of italy, are at the
front.
Bombardment in France Grows.
The French war office last night re-
ported increased artillery activity
northwest of Montdidier, on the
Amiens front and between Montdidier
and the Aisne.
Berlin reported allied cannonading
in various sectors on the Flanders
front and between Arras and Albert.
Field Marshal Haig announced sue
cessful British raids in the sectors be-
tween the Picardy and Flanders fronts.
Gains Cost Too Much.
(By the Associated Press)
What gains the Austrians have
made have been hardly commensurate
with the preparations made, the shells
expended and lives lost. Emperor
Charles, unless his troops can make
swifter progress will have to call off
his hunger offensive" and face the
populace at home. Reports have
reached Switzerland that Socialist
| manifestations occurred in Vienna
| Monday.
Await Results in Italy.
The Germans apparently are await
| ing results on the Italian front before
resuming the offensive in France and
Flanders. If the Germans expected
| that the Austrians would advance and
compel the allies to send reserves to
Italy and thus weaken the western
| front it is probable they will have to
| change any plans based on such antici-
| pations.
Local attacks and intense artillery
| fire here and there mark the lull on
| the western line. The French and
British have improved their positions
at isolated points between Rheims and
| Ypres while repulsing enemy attacks.
/ The German artillery fire has in
creased in intensity from northwest
of Montdidier to the Aisne. German
i patrols have been active against the
American position along the Marne.
| but their efforts TO penetrate the
American lines were repulsed. One
| enemy patrol was almost wiped out by
: the American machine pirp fro