The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-06-19
BRIDGES UNDER CONSTANT BOMBARDM[ht.
BOTH SIDES GAIN ADDITIONAL PRISONERS;
DRIVE WHOLLY STOPPED IN THE MOUNTAINS
Rome Frankly Admits That Advances
Have Been Made But Expresses Utter
Confidence That United Army and
People Will Successfully Repel Az
sault-- Only Local Activity on Western
Line---British May Meet Next Hun
Thrust.

For the first time since their gigantic drive began the Aus
fighting claimed gains which, while still of local character
might affect the strategic situation they pushed much
farther. @sA
These gains, admitted in Rome dispatches made On
both wings of the central Piave line in the north the for
mdabe height called Monteo and in the south around and
west of Capo Se by the Austrian right and left respectively
The former is drivingor correctly, creeping far
in the direction of the railway town of Treviso vo in the
vital line of communcation) the latter toward Venice
of Italian cities.
In the north the invaders progressed miles
and have admittedly wrested from the Italians fouths
of the high ground separating them from the plains in the
south their advance has been between three and four
both the fighting the west bank Of the Pave
which the Austrans have crossed fourteen points
bridges which under constant attack Of British and Italian
bombing planes.
The whole strength the Austrian is now being
concentrated against the italian river line which they
places sufficiently far to the westward to endanger the main
of retreat, the oderza- Treviso Verona rail
In the mountains the invader has been completely sop&
More has been reganed by the Italians the French
and British allies and more prisoners and have been
tured.
prisoners bagged by the Austrians also has
taken jump however Vienna late yesterday announcing tho
number at 10000.
Much further either west of Moneo or beyond
the Fossetta canal which the Ausan have reached in the
south would seriously threaten caven of the Italian Pave
front AS said in these couns the first day Of The
drive all that matters the Pave line for the bold plan
break the Italian mountain front and southwarto
the of Diaz armies the plains crushed in tho t
great attempt realization. sBt
However Rome, while semi officially admitting the position
well in hand and the Austrians meeting ncreangrs
sistance. sas
General Daz is expressly emphasized, has sufficient
serves at his disposal
The 'hnge northwest of the Pave front the sector -
tween the region north Of Moneo and the Brenta nN
holding. '1
Austria, having saed all this huge military gambia 4
expected to hammer away until the last Of her strength
spent Italy the other hand stronger moro unod
than fighting with the sacred resolve e oo
until the tables turned the invader The battle "a IL
100mile front is therefore which will decide the fa e
either nation and have decisive bearing the whole en-
of the war
Despite the gains Of the Austrians the fourth day. svy
word from Rome both official and unofficial breahes unsha
able confidence that the enemy who will collapse for definite
check his drive must carry in its wake tho utter cola
both Of the fighting forces and the home 'front.' this IT,
seems doubt
Meanwhile allied vigilance the front not rUla
for single moment Fighting operations have died down ~
minor enterprises with the allies the initiative a0o
throughout particularly regards raids Aerial recon
nassances continuous especially the British front o.
the German side the guns active here now there
with not the slightest indication of where Ludenorn Is
pairing his next blowf the situation in Italy allows him q
strike for Austrian collapse would necessate
aid from the Germans NJ
In England the general view that the Germans win
the British front next and it is based chiefly
that Prince Rupprecht has had ample time regroup
pair his battered man power and that only x
siderable forces borrowed from him BY the crown
in the recent Paris drive. "a