The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-07-11
FLOOD HAMPERS
PURSUIT OF HUNS
Allied P0ntoon Bridges Swept
Away by Another Rise in
PiaVe River.
AUSTRIANS STILL FALL BACK
italians Continue to Harass and In
flict Heavy Casualties on Disor-
dered Ranks of Enemy.

Washington, June 26.-The Italians
at last have cleared the remaining
Austrian rear guards from the west
bank of the PiaYe river and now are
in possession of the entire river front
from the MonteIlo Plateau to the sea
At last accounts their forces, which
crossed the stream in pursuit of the
retreating Austrians. were still harass-
ing them, inflicting heavy casualties
and forcing the enemy to continue his
disOrderly retreat.
Fate FaVors Austrians-
Fate, however, has turned some
what its balance in favor of the Aus
trians, for the Piave river again has
risen and some of the pontoon bridges
the Italians had thrown across the
stream have been carried away, max
ing impossible a quick pursuit and
the crushing OF the Austrians, which
General Diaz had counted upon The
Austrians are declared to be rushing
up reserves from the east in an en-
deavor partly to retrieve the situa-
ton.
Holding the upper hand along the
borders of the Venetian Plain, the
Italians have turned on the offensive
against the enemy in the mountain
region and are attacking on various
sectors. Notable gains of ground
have been made and in addition to
heavy casualties inflicted on the
enemy a large number of Austrians
II,
machine guns have been captured, ac-
cording to Rome The Austrian war
office, however, asserts that all at
tacks in this region have been re-
pulsed.
Raids on Western Front
On the front in France and Belgium
bombardments and raiding operations,
the latter in considerable strength,
continue The French near Leport,
north of the Aisne, have repulsed a
German attack, but on several other
sectors, notably in the WOevre and in
Lorraine, themselves have carried out
successful raids and taken prisoners.
The Canadians near Arras have been
successful in an enterprise which net
ted them twenty-five prisoners and
six machine guns. The Germans are
bombarding the British front east OF
Amiens.
Hard Blow to Germany.
Washington, June 25.-The belief
was expressed in official circles here
today that the Italian victory over
Austria will prove to be one of the
most decisive in character Of the
whole war Germany's entire often
siye program may have been upset
by the crushing defeat of her ally.
Austrian losses il the retreat across
the Piave included an appalling num-
Der" of troops killed, more than forty
thousand made prisoners and an enor-
nous amount of booty, says report
from General Diaz, the Italian COM
mander, which was cabled today from
Rome to the Italian embassy.
Blow Dealt to Germany.
Other official reports reaching
Washington bear out the picture of
the Austrian disaster given in press
accounts from Italy, although the full
extent of the Italian success is not
yet apparent. 1t is regarded certain
the Central Powers have been dealt a
blow that will demoTalize the spirit
Of their people and probably compel
the German high command to make
a complete readjustment of its plans
in France
A cablegram from Rome to the
Italian embassy says Italy is ablaze
with enthusiasm and joy as a result
Of the victory.
Baker congratuIates Italy.
Secretary Baker showed the signifi-
canoe attached here to the defeat OF
the Austrians when he dispatched the
following telegram today to the Amer
lean ambassador at Rome for trans
mission to the Italian minister Of
war:
1.-The people Of the United States
are watching with enthusiasm and ad-
miration the splendid exploits Of the
great army Of Italy in resisting and
driving back the enemy forces which
recently undertook a major offensive
on the Italian front 1 take great
pleasure In rendering my own hearty
congratulations, and would be most
happy to have message of greeting
and congratulation transmitted to
General Diaz and his brave soldiers