The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-06-18

ASSOCIATED PRESS
SUMMARY OF The WAR

Holding their lines intact along
virtually all the go miles Of battle
front from the Adriatio to the
Asiaeo plateau, the Italian and Al
lied armies appear to have given che
Austrian armies a serious setback
Approximately 100000 Austriana
have been hurled against the Italian
front, but have gained little except
along the PiaVe river where their
progress 10 seemingly too slow to be
threatening to the allied positions.
Losses which are described as
frishtfuI have been inflicted upon
the Austrians in the areas where the
principal fighting has taken place.
In the mountainous country, where
the British have been holding their
positions solidIy, thousands of the
enemy have Perished, while they
have paid heavily for every foot they
have advanced along the Piave
river front. In the MontelIo area on
the upper Piave, the AusErians seem
to have gained a foothoId on the
west bank Of the river. North of
Zenson loop, and at Capo SlIe, lower
down. they have also moved west.
ward but their greatest gain does
not exceed two or three miles. II
seems that, 30 far in the battle, the
Austrians have gained the n1ost
ground, at Capo Sile, q village sit
uated west Of the PiaVe river, and
surrounded by low narshy land,
which does not lend itself readily to
a rapid advance by the Austrfans.
The vital mountain sector along the
upper reaches Of the Brenta has not
British claim TO haVe defeated the
foe. As long as this front holds
firmly, according to military experts.
the stability of the italian Iine is as.
sursd, unless serious breach should
be made along the Piave river east
OF Treviso and Monte BeIIuna.
COUNTER OFFENSIVE.
There are hints of a counter Of
fensive in reports from Italy. The
success Of the Italians two weeks
ago in the MOUNTAINOUS country to
the west of Lake Garda and the cvi-
dent concern of the Austrian com
mand over an advance there may In
dictate, that If the Italians strike
back IL may be along this part Of
the front. A success there would
isolate the Austrian forces fighting
east of Lake Garda, and turn the
right flank Of the enemy armies.
While the gigantic Austrian at
tempt to break through TO the plains
Of Italy, has occupied the center of
the stage, events of Importance may
bs taking shape in the Somme bat
tIefield. Heavy firing by the Ger
man artillery In the Ancre valley
and northward TO Serrey is reported
by the British, 1t is on this part of
the front that a German attack has
been expected by the Allies and the
German bombardment may be the
prelude Of a resumption of the
enemy's offensive In France.
Prisoners taken by the italians,
French and British now total 5000.
The latest report from Vienna
makes claim Of no marked gains OK.
cePt the capture of Capo SiIe on the
west bank of the Piave south Of
Fossalta. This number of prisoners
is now reported as 12,000.
Emperor Charles 10 reported to be
in the eouEhern Trentino directing
the offensive and dispatches from
Switzerland cay that thousands Of
troops are being sent into the Tren-
NIHASs AbkHSt'- austrian VII"
doubtedIy may be expected.
Activity on the front In France
continues of q minor character. Ger
man efforts 60 drive the French from
their new gains around Hautehrays,
northwest of Soissons, were re-
pulsed by the French who Increased
their capturee/ to $40 prisoners.
Small raids have been carried out by
the Germans against British posi-
$ions in Pieardy and Flanders.
American positions northwest of
Chateau ThierFy are being bomb
ard6d heavily with gas shells and
there are Indications that The enemy
may again try to drive the Aneri-
cans from BeIIeau wood, and other
territory recently gained.
The enemy artillery fire also has
increased along the Marine east Of
Chateau Thierry, but there has been
no infantry activity. On the Lune-
Vile front enemy raiders have cap
Eured a few American prisoners,
while In The Vosges, in AIsace,
American gunneFs broke up Ger
man raid.