Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1918-05-08

LIvENING UP ITALIAN FRONT.
Activities Indicate German Offensive
in Italian Zone.

Geneva, Switzerland, May 5.--It is
officially announced from Vienna that
Emperor Charles, the chief Of tho
Austrian general staff, and several
high German and Austrian officers
reached the Italian front yesterday
This, with the considerable move
ment Of troops in the Tyrol and
Trentine reported from the interior,
is interpreted to mean that the long
predicted offensive on the italian
front will soon be begun.
Artillery Fire Intense.
Rome, May 5.-An increase in tho
intensity of the hostile artillery fire
along the front, notably in the Laga-
rfna and Astico valleys and In the
Foss-Alta sector is reported by the
war office tonight. The Italian ar
tillery also has carried out numerous
bombardments and there has been
additional intensive activity by the
Capronis and British airplanes, dur
ing which eight enemy machines
were destroyed and many tons Of
bombs dropped.
The text Of the official statement
reads:
"There has been Increased inten-
sity OF the hostile harassing force In
the Lagarina and Astico valleys and
in the Foss-Alta sector.
"Our batteries dispersed carrying
parties in the Stelvio area, fired with
good effect on the Roverto station,
obtained direct hits on trains in the
Conegliano station and caused a
heavy explosion OH the left bank Of
the Piave, opposite Nervesa.
"There were patrol actions on both
sides between the Brenta and the
Piave.
"The activity of our aircraft has
been intense. Caproni flights and
British airplanes, protected by num-
bers of chasers, dropped about nine
tons of bombs on the hydro-electrIc
works at Cavedin, north Of Mor
While this operation was in progress
other machines renewed the bombing
of the aviation ground at Campo
Maggiore, south Of Lenico.
Last night our airships, reaching
by surprise the railway stations at
Primolano and Bolseano, dropped
their loads Of bombs with good ef-
feet. At the same time an airshp
of the Royal Navy engaged enemy
columns on the march beyond the
Tagliamento.
Eight enemy machines were re-
ported destroyed, two OF which fell
In flames within our lines"
American Artillery Speaks.
With the American Army in
France, May 5.-During the last
three days the American artillery In
the Luneville sector has completely
chased the Germans from their front
positions and has wiped certain
sections Of the targets In the enemy
rear area off the map. This Is the
same artillery that not long ago gave
similar performance in another
Lorraine sector.
On the present occasion, so far as
all investigation shows, the Germans
have entirely abandoned the terri
tory at least as far back as a point
beyond their second line. The only
signs that they are there at all are a
few machine gun posts hidden In
out-of-the-way places in the back
areas, which cut loose when the op-
portunity offers. Just now, the Ger.
man front and second lines are IN
about the same condition as No Mans
| Land, in which latter area the Amer
leans are working more freely than
| ever before.
The sections affected by the work
of these American artillerymen are
the line south, southwest and south
east Of Halloville. (This town is ap.
proXimately 3 miles almost directly
east Of Luneville, and about six miles
from the German border at it's near
est point, to the northeast.) The
American raiders have found that
the shells had worked terrific havoc
at many places plainly visible where
the big projectiles from the heavy
guns had fallen.
Drive for the Navy.