The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1918-01-03


Monte ToE1ba, broke down yester-
day under the fire of the Teutons,
1t was announced today by the
German war office
London, Dec. 31--It has now become
apparent that the Germans expecta-
ton of achieving strategical military re-
suits this winter centers in the Italian
campaign. rather than in any offensive
on the French front. The plains of
northern Italy are excellent for winter
campaigning and although the invaders
have not yet reached the plains, they
nave driven perilously near to them
and have had in all their recent great
operations Extraordinarily good luck
with the weather.
Snow Comes to Rescue.
Under normal conditions, by this
time the heights between the Brenta
and Piave would be two feet under
snow. This year the snow is late and
the enemy so far has escaped the diff
flculties which should have beset cam
paign begun SO late in the year. Rome
reports today. however, the heaviest
tali of snow in 80 years, SO it is pos
sible that the elements which can, if
they are so disposed, become Italy's
most valuable ally-just as they We're
to the Germans on the Somme in 1916
anu in Flanders last sumner-will now
take hand in the game and block
the enemy's moves.
The Austro-German campaign in
Italy has been abetted by another nat
ufal advantage. The fact that the Tren-
tlno, cutting southwark as it does, out
Hanks in a measure the whole Piave
line, rendering dangerous any position
the Italians take up east of the Adige.
What the Italians have done is to meet
IA fla, III,
tino by holding the hills on the Italian
side OF the border between the Asago
plateau and the upper Piave. The chief
OF these strongholds are Monte Grappa
with its under works and Monte Aso-
lone. After the initial Italian disaster
on the Isonzo, the costly retreat to the
Piave and the establishment OF the new
Inc there, with the replacement of Ca
dorna, the army settled into a mood of
desperate defense on a very pronounced
salient between Asiago and the up. Der
pave, which represented the ruins of
their former gains on the 'Trentino
front. What has happened recently in
all the desperate fighting of three weeks
is that the salient has now been pressed
flat and the Italian defense has got
down today to the bare bones Of
Grappa.
Monte Grappa Holds Out?
The last supporting work of Grappa
to go was Monte Asolone and here the
vigorous and gallant counter attacks
of the Alphini measurably diminished
the enemys success. Possession of the
summit of Monte Asolone did not open
the way around Grappa to the enemy,
but it diminished the effectiveness of
the Italians fire from Grappa toward
the i5renta valley.
Covered to some extent by this sue
cess the enemy then attacked west of
the f5renta, the main assault being de-
livcred against Rosso hill and Monte
Val Bella, which fell last Sunday. Since
then the Ieutons have been slowly, but
steadily pressing forward toward VAL
Staena, at the confluence of the Fren-
zcla and Erenta rivers, from which
they are TO-DAY less than two miles dis
tant.
Italians Hold Hills.
The advance down the Brenta valley,
o'>ce the invaders have crushed the re-
y aiming defenses of the Frenzela,
should not be easy by any means, for
the Italians hold the high ridges on
either side. The question now is Wheth-
er the enemy can improve his gains to
the extent of outflanlSing Monete Crap
pa. IT he can advance southwark past
this sentinel until he reaches Bassana
eisln, miles below. he will find the whole
Venetian plains spread al his feet. Here
the italians unquestionably would make
last desperate attack in the direction
of Nicenza, for if Bassano is taken and
held, Grappa will be turned, and with
Grappa goes the I'iave line, and with
the piave line, Venice.
The Austro- Germans are only eight
miles from a decisive victory but the
Germans and British many times have
been five miles, even two miles, from
decisive victory and have failed to
reach it, 1t is not being over optimis-
tic to hope that the invaders of Italy
fai Ia ,cli Iii
cess.
Monte Iccfer must be held at all costs
and the Lorenzo valley, which leads
south from Monte Asolone, and in add
ton strong force must be held in
readiness to attack the enemy trying
to debouch from BasSano. Italy needs
Tor these defensive movements power
full reinforcement Whether she will
receive them is matter for specula
ton.
Great Battle Goes On.
From the Asiaso plateau to the Adri-
attic the big guns of both the Italians
and Austro Germans have opened ul
new destructive fire in preparation
for n renewal of the great struggle
Fighting on large scale, General Dias
yesterday made two efforts to recapture
lost ground west of Monte Asolone anG
east of Monte So1arolo, between the
Rrenta and Piave, but was repulseG
both times
powerful squadron of Caproni air.
planes has created havoc among large
hostile forces in the Bonchi valley, anc
elsewhere the invaders works and line.
of communications have been lombard.
ed with good results.
Austrian troops from the Rumaniar
front have been identified behind thu
enemy's front lines. according to off.
cial advices from Rome This is the
first report of the transfer OF force.
froia the Rumanian battle line to Italy
COMMANDERS POWER.
washington, d. c., Dec 29.-To as
sura the adequate supply OF electric
mower for establishments engaged III
= AJfo sro Ercl 1o r,,NFo II,