Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1918-06-17
Austans Cross River at Three Places But Have Not Beer
Able to Hold Gains; Germans May Send Troops From
French 'front.' Allies in Alps Fighting Fmiousy;
Teuons Repeating Tactics That Have Been Sue
cessfuI in Somme and Aisne Drives;
Battle Still in Balance
i. S. MEN WIPE OUT FOE
Xii and Capture Force Sent 10
Attack Their Line a.
Xivray.
FRENCH FRONT INACTIVE

Associated Press 2aumarc I-- snd 81 s p N
Although the situation along the great
crescrnt-shaped battle line in northern
Italy remain rs somewhat obscure IL seems
the Austrians have accomplished little II
the inception Of their drive against he
Italian and Allied armies From the lower
Piave River and nOrthward along tnat
stream. come encouraging reports telling
Of the enemy being checked and a. some
points being hurled back across the
stream. From the Piave 10 the Brenta.
where the Teutons advanced through
mountain ravines. in their attempts 10
break through the Allied lines, the -itus-
tiOn seems 70 be we'll in hand.
Three Crossings OF River.
II nov appears the Austriaus made
three successful attempts 10 cross he
Piave. One was south Of Monticello. where
the battle line leaves the Piave River and
mounts 10 the westward into the Alps.
One was between Candeiu and ZenSOn
loop. where the Aus'risns effected A
crossing last November and held bridge
head for some time. The third was al
; Dona Di Piave, about ! | miles from the
mouth Of the river.
AZ least some of these forces have been
driven back across the river. while the
others have not been able TO develop any
advantage from their early success.
REPEAT GERMAN TACTICS
The reports OF the battle show NAT the
tactics followed by the Austrlans we're
similar 10 those which brought success 20
me Germans ne cOmme ana Asue
offeusivps 'fhe enemy advanced. under
cover 81 a smoke Darrage from bombs ana
smoke apparatus. 10 comparatively small
parties These we're directed against
portions Of the line believed 70 be tightly
held Ia France rhe Germans succeeded
6v this method IN gaining the rear of
strongly neld portions 81 the Inc. which
had 70 be evacuated quickly by he Allies
Along the Italian front, however. the foe
was not able 10 penetrate far mo the ALI
led positions and counter attacks soon
drove them back 70 their lines
The result IS "a yet N the balance. Thus
Tar German troops are reported only n
one sector on the mountain front. but n
Is not improbable they viii be dispatched
TO aid the Austrians II thew can be spared
along he French front Furious lighting
Is SAID 70 be continuing and II Is probable
harder blows viii be launched by he
enemy.
ITALIAN MORALE GOOD.
The fact however. hat the nrst onset
did not result in q virtual iebacie such a.
ensued when he Germans ana AustrianS
attacked along the lsonzo last October.
speaks volumes for the Italian morale.
and late reports give reason Tor belief
that the blow 81 Italy : not being isuncl-
Ell with the force that has characterized
the pfien>Ivc> Of the Germans IA Franc,
during he past three months.
Associated Press summary issued a. m
Italian. French and British troops have
met the shock OF the Austrian offensive
along a 100 mile front n northern Italy,
and the enemy is being pushed back
where he is not being held in check.
Violent battles continue in the mountains
from Lake Gards 10 the Piaye and south
ward along the Pave, but at no place has
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