Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-06-21

Thursday, June 20.-The first
American aYiatOrs TO fly on
the Italian front went today on
bombing expedition and sue
ceeded in blowing two holes in
a new Austrian bridge across
the PiaVe river. The COM
mander of the Italian aviation
camp expressed satisfaction
with the work of the AmerI-
cans. The aviation forces on
this front are displaying the
most Intense activity.
Rome Thursday, June 20-The
efforts of the Austrians to widen
the northeastern salient on the
Montello. the keystone of the Pi-
ave front. toward the west have
failed, Premier Orlando informed
parliament tonight.
Toward the south. the premier
stated, the enemy again succeeded
in crossing the Montebelluna-Su
near the Niversa station. but was
promptly stopped.
Italians Gain at PiaEe.
On the lower Piaye. the Italians
gained more ground.
The enemy losses during the day
were enormous, the premier add
ed The Italians took several hun
dred prisoners.
(By Associated PTessl
Austrfa's offensive against Italy
has resolved itself into a defensive
movement both in the mountains
and along the Piave. While facing
allied counter attacks on the fight
ing front, the Austrian government
is being harrassed in Vienna and
elsewhere by popular outbreaks
caused by food conditions.
Capture 1000 Austrians.
Spurred on by their successful
resistance. Italian troops are MAX
ing repeated attacks against the
enemy positions west of the Piaye
ana have gained some ground. In
the mountains around AsiagO.
Franco-Italian troops reoccupied
poshitions. Wednesday the bag OF
Austrian prisoners aggregate !
nearly 1000
Vienna, in its official Statement.
admits that its troops are on tho
defensive and is content to report
that all Italian attacks, especially
along the Piave, have been Tepuls
ed. The fighting is now IN its sew
enth day and the Austrians wesr
of the Piave probably are in a more
precariOus positions than at any
time since last Saturday.
Stout Italian resistance has again
the Austrians in their ef
forts to extend their front on the
plateau, the keystone OF
the Italian defense on the Piays
river.
Enemy Defeated.
Official announcement is made at
Rome that the Austrians were de
feated in a drive yesterday on tho
northeastern section of the plateaL.
The enemy was able to cross the
Montebelluna-Su -Susegana railway a.
several points near &ervesa ste
lion but even at this point was
promptly stopped
Heavy rains are reported in the
and these NAV add 20
he torrent in the Pfave which ha,
washed away many bridges. With
he flooded river behind the enemy.
he Italian counter attacks are
gaining in strength in an effort 10
wipe out or capture the troops
y iich have crossed the Piave AMI
which have been unable to advance
nto the Venetian plain.
New Blow Expected.
FpIg l.
Thursday, June 20.-lBy Associated
Press. THE second phase OF the
Austrian offensive, featured by al
acks TO the right and left OF Val
,tagna, along the Brenta river. and
Il the mountains. should logically
'egin soon. now that the effort on
he Piave has failed II is felt that
t the Austrians do not renew their
'fforts 10 penetrate 10 the plains.
through the Brenta region. and taxi
ng Monte Grappa. It would be an
acknowledgement OF defeat and their
inability to carry out the ambitious
Ian launched a week ago.
AuSerO Losses Heavy.
Along the Piaye the Italian posi-
ions are unchanged The Aug
rians are lighting well. according
o the Italians. but the latter are
utciassing them 1t is believed
hat the Italians would have driy-
II the Austrians back across the
liver before this but for the nature
( the open fighting. which an
.merican on this front said remind
d him Of the Indian combats in tn,
Id days. Night fighting and bush
hacking methods are necessary.
Though they are not favored hy
le military authorities because of
he confusion and danger of firing
pom their own men, especially
here large bodies of troops are
Another difficulty has
cen the similarity in color between
le Italian and Austrian uniforms.
he Austrian losses have been ex-
'emely heavy. Although there is
luch sharp lighting, there are many
Ills during which the only distrac-
on of the armies is watching the
operations Of the rival avt-
TORS